29.08.2006

Safety inspector crushed by crane

John Betchley, 51, a safety inspector, was crushed to death on Friday while carrying out the annual inspection on a steam rail crane on behalf of an insurance company. The crane is owned by the Bodmin and Wenford steam railway.

Betchley, from Weston-super-Mare, was crushed after becoming trapped between the cranes boom and its hoist drum, most likely while checking the condition of the boom hoist cable.

The railway uses the 1947, 10 tonne, 6 wheel RCE Heavy Duty crane for track laying and other lifting on the historic railway.

Betchley leaves behind his wife of 30 years, four daughters and five grandchildren.