Employee killed after incident at soft drinks manufacturing site

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The incident took place in the warehouse at a manufacturing site in Coleford, Gloucestershire. Credit: Getty / Monty Rakusen

A 50-year-old man has been killed following an incident at a soft drinks production facility in Gloucestershire.

Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I, which uses the site to make and bottle Lucozade and Ribena soft drinks, confirmed in a statement that the employee passed away in hospital on 25 April 2024 following a “serious incident” in the warehouse at its Coleford manufacturing site on 22 April.

Carol Robert, the chief operating officer at Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I, said the firm was “deeply saddened” by the news.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) noted: “We are aware of an incident at the Lucozade Ribena Suntory Ltd factory in Coleford on 22 April 2024. Sadly, a 50-year-old man has died as a result of the injuries he sustained. We will now lead an investigation into what happened alongside Gloucestershire Police.”

The man was airlifted to Southmead Hospital in Bristol following the incident, but died as a result of the injuries he sustained.

Robert said that Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I was in close communication with the family of the employee involved.

“The whole business extends our sincere condolences at this extremely difficult time,” Robert continued.

“We are cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation by the regulator. Given that it is very much a live investigation, it would not be appropriate to comment further.

“Our thoughts remain with the family of our colleague, and we would also ask that their privacy is respected at this time.”

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