Horrifying footage shows final moments of labourer who was ‘killed instantly’ when fell into industrial shredder while trying to unblock it – as his boss and employer are found guilty of manslaughter
Gruesome footage shows how a worker was killed when he fell into an industrial chipper.
David Willis, 29, fell into a chipper designed for wood and commercial waste at Timmins Waste Services (TWS) in Wolverhampton.
CCTV footage of the tragedy on September 15, 2018 shows Mr Willis being lifted to the machine by the grab arm of a JCB excavator.
His boss, site manager Brian Timmins, was in the cab of the excavator and had told Mr Willis to clear a blockage in the chipper while it was running.
Mr. Willis knelt on the edge of the machine, but as he reached down he fell in and was killed instantly by the huge, interlocking blades.
The remains of David Willis (pictured), 29, were never found after he fell into a machine designed for chipping wood and commercial waste at Timmins Waste Services (TWS) in Mander Street, Wolverhampton, on September 15, 2018.
Brian Timmins, 54, from Albrighton in Wolverhampton, was found guilty of manslaughter and the company guilty of corporate manslaughter
Footage shows Timmins climbing to the top of the funnel and peering inside before walking away from the scene and taking out his mobile phone.
He then called Mr Willis' number before climbing back into the digger and continuing to work – meaning the worker's remains were buried in shredded rubbish.
The following day, Timmins returned to the site where workers took 80 tonnes of recycled waste – including Mr Willis' remains – to a landfill in Cannock, Staffs.
Tragically, police believe Mr Willis' remains will never be found.
This week Timmins, 54, from Albrighton in Wolverhampton, was found guilty of manslaughter and the company guilty of corporate manslaughter.
Timmins and TWS have previously admitted health and safety charges.
West Midlands Police have released footage of the tragedy following the trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court.
The jurors' mother, Mr. Willis, reported him missing the night he didn't come home from work.
It was only when his jacket was found at the shredder two days later that CCTV footage from the previous Saturday was viewed and it turned out that he had fallen into the shredder.
The incident took place at Timmins Waste Services (TWS) in Mander Street, Wolverhampton (pictured)
West Midlands Police have released footage of the tragedy following the trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court
Mr Willis tumbled into a chipper designed for wood and commercial waste at Timmins Waste Services (TWS) in Wolverhampton
His boss, site manager Brian Timmins, was in the cab of the excavator and had told Mr Willis to clear a blockage in the chipper while it was running.
Mr. Willis knelt on the edge of the machine, but as he reached down he fell in and was killed instantly by the huge, interlocking blades
The following day, Timmins returned to the site where workers took 80 tonnes of recycled waste – including Mr Willis' remains – to a landfill in Cannock, Staffs.
Detective Inspector Jim Colclough, who led the investigation, said: “We found major, systemic failings at TWS, which put employees at risk.
'No risk assessments have been carried out and simply no safe working practices have been put in place.
'Timmins' inability to shut off the shredder, and his decision to put Mr. Willis in a dangerous position, were the direct cause of this tragedy.
'We spent many weeks searching the Cannock site but only found part of a tabard that could have belonged to David.
“The failure to recover David has increased the anguish for his family and denied them the opportunity to say goodbye with dignity.”
The jury could not reach a verdict on the charge against Timmins for perverting the course of justice.
Timmins, who was granted unconditional bail, and TWS will be sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court on a date to be determined.
After the trial, Willis' family said in a statement: 'David's death is as painful for us now as it was five years ago.
“David missed so many precious family moments, including the birth of his niece and growing up his nephew, who David still treats like his superhero in the sky.”