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Comment following inquest into workplace death of Lynda Trebilcock

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A Milton Keynes inquest has returned a narrative verdict following a fatal accident involving a cleaner who suffered a serious head injury whilst at work.

On 19th May 2007, Mrs Trebilcock, aged 53, of Heelands in Milton Keynes, was killed at the meat processing plant, Delico, where she worked as a cleaning supervisor. The accident occurred when a pneumatically powered gate on a blending machine closed on her head.

At a two day inquest in Milton Keynes on Monday 1st and Tuesday, 2nd December, Her Majesty’s Coroner Mr. Rodney Corner, recorded a narrative verdict. This detailed how for many years, Delico,  had used a metal clipboard to override a sensor,  to temporarily prevent the machine operating, in what was described as “not a safe system of work”  and in addition how no instructions were ever given for isolating the machine during cleaning.

Derek Trebilcock, widow of Lynda, said: “Lynda was a loving and wonderful mother and grandmother as well as a fun-loving and devoted wife. It has been particularly difficult and at times distressing for us to hear the evidence of the events which led to her traumatic and unnecessary death. We are relieved that this inquest is now over and are not surprised by the juror’s verdict.

“What is important and what we hope for is that lessons are learned from this avoidable event and that Delico never repeat the same mistakes again. At the time of this statement we are still waiting for a formal apology and recognition of fault by Delico. Our family would now like to be left alone and our privacy respected so that we may get on with our lives following the tragic loss of someone who was so special to us.

“Finally we would like to thank our solicitors Moore Blatch Resolve for all of their help and assistance, as well as our barrister Mr. Waite for representing us at this inquest.”

The family’s solicitor, Damian Horan, head of legal practice at national law firm Moore Blatch Resolve, said: “The family of Lynda Trebilcock has been devastated by her death and have found the past few days particularly harrowing and difficult. The verdict comes as no surprise, though they feel there are many more questions that remain unanswered.

“The Trebilcock family, are naturally devastated by the loss of their mother at such a young age and will be pursuing a civil action against Delico in due course. We ask that the family’s privacy is respected at this particularly sad time.”

Mrs Trebilcock is survived by her husband of 31 years Derek and four adult sons.

• Comment-following-inquest-into-workplace-death-of-Lynda-Trebilcock.pdf