‘Avalanche’ of grain kills lorry driver, 64 (From Craven Herald)

‘Avalanche’ of grain kills lorry driver, 64

10:33am Thursday 13th September 2012 in News

A grieving widow has paid tribute to a Steeton lorry driver who died after being buried beneath a mound of animal feed.

Skipton -born Malcolm Harrison, 64, was working inside a giant silo at the Port of Liverpool when the tragedy occurred.

Eyewitnesses say he was trying to open the back of his wagon when a stockpile of soyabean meal collapsed on him.

Mr Harrison, who is believed to have suffocated, was freed by colleagues and was resuscitated at the scene, but died shortly afterwards in hospital.

A North West Ambulance Service spokesman said: “The feed fell on top of the man. He has suffered extensive asphyxiation in the grain silo and gone into cardiac arrest.

“He was resuscitated and the paramedic who was first on scene travelled with him to Aintree Hospital. But he died later from his injuries.”

The Health & Safety Executive is now investigating the incident, which happened on Thursday.

This week Mr Harrison’s widow, Claudine, of Summerhill Drive, said her husband was a loving and devoted family man.

There are four children - Michelle, Matthew, Stephanie and Caroline - and seven grandchildren.

And Mr Harrison has a brother, John, and sister Mandy.

“He was such a sociable man and very well known but also modest,” said Claudine, 56, a school cook.

“We did everything together and travelled a lot - to countries including America and Australia. We shared a wonderful life.

“He loved animals and music and another of his passions was steam trains and stock cars - he worked as a fireman on a steam engine after leaving school and as a driver for a stock car team. He worked hard all his life.”

The couple had been together since 1982 and married for 26 years. They lived in Bryon Street, Skipton, until 11 years ago.

“I’m thankful for the years we have had - we’ve had great times,” said Claudine.

“I am also very thankful for all the messages of support and cards I’ve received over the past few days. People have said such wonderful things about him and it has really helped me through it.”

Mr Harrison was educated at Water Street and Aireville schools in the town. He became a lorry driver in his early 20s.

He worked for WG Taylor in Skipton but for the past 24 years had driven for Reid Atkinson, a haulage firm based in Kelbrook .

The company’s managing director Paul Schofield said: “Malcolm was a lovely man, well liked by everyone and a loyal servant to the company. We are deeply shocked by what has happened.”

A funeral service will take place at Christ Church, Skipton, next Friday, September 21, at 12.30pm, followed by cremation at Waltonwrays. Donations will be received for the Bradford-based charity Fulfil the Wish, which provides activity and sightseeing holidays for children and young people with disabilities and complex health needs.