Gardaí probe death of man crushed at scrap yard

GARDAÍ along with the Heath & Safety Authority are investigating the death of a 48-year-old man who was found crushed under a car at a scrap yard in east Cork.

The accident scene remained preserved yesterday as the authorities tried to establish exactly what led to the man’s death.

Gardaí were alerted shortly before 9pm on Wednesday by a person who said they were concerned that machinery was running at the scrap yard at an unusual time. When gardaí arrived they found the man under a car.

The fire brigade attended the scene along with a priest and a local doctor who pronounced the man dead.

His body was taken to Cork University Hospital where a post mortem was carried out.

The accident happened at Jamesbook, East Ferry, adjacent to the back road between Saleen and Rostellan.

Superintendent Flor Horan, who is leading the Garda investigation, said they would not be releasing the dead man’s name until all of his relatives had been contacted.

Some of them are believed to be abroad.

The man operated the scrap site there for a number of years, although he lived in Cork city.

Supt Horan said it appeared the man was working by himself at the time of the accident.

However, gardaí have appealed for anybody who was in the area at the time to contact them at Midleton Garda Station on 021-4632550.