A 61-year-old man has died and another man has been seriously injured after a fall from height at the Lantmännen Unibake factory in Milton Keynes.
The bakery business said the pair of contractors were undertaking planned refurbishment of a bakery line prover when the incident occurred at around 12:45pm on Monday 9 October.
“We are deeply shocked and saddened by this terrible accident, and our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with those affected and their families,” commented Lantmännen Unibake UK MD Wendy Smith.
“We are offering support to all employees across the business affected by this,” Smith added, noting that they were working closely with all parties including the Thames Valley Police and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Thames Valley Police confirmed they had received a report of an industrial accident at an address on Maidstone Road, Kingston, Milton Keynes, at around 1.25pm on Monday. “Sadly, a 61-year-old man has died,” said a police spokesperson. “His next of kin have been informed and offered support by officers.
“A man in his sixties also suffered serious injuries and has been taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford for further treatment, where he remains,” added the spokesperson.
An HSE spokesperson told British Baker that it was aware of the incident and was making enquiries alongside Thames Valley Police to help complete an investigation into the circumstances of the death.
According to its website, Lantmännen Unibake is one of largest bakery manufacturers in the UK producing over 60,000 tonnes of baked goods per year in its factories in Milton Keynes and Bedford. The company is said to supply frozen products, either ready to bake or thaw and serve, to a wide variety of customers from small wholesalers to large retailers.
“Whilst it will take some time for all parts of the factory to become fully operational again, we have processes in place to ensure that all customer orders will be fulfilled,” stated Smith, who was appointed to the role 12 months ago.
Lantmännen Unibake UK’s full accounts for the year to 31 December 2022 reported sales of £155.6m, up 16% from the £133.9m taken during the previous financial year. It forms part of the Lantmännen Group, which operates a total of 34 bakeries across Europe, the US and Australia with combined turnover said to be £4bn.
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