Man killed in concrete mixer

A London man was crushed to death early today as the concrete lorry he was cleaning accidentally switched on.

The 33-year-old victim was working with his head and shoulders inside an access hatch when the motor started.

The mechanism dragged him inside and the top half of his body was crushed by the huge drum. He was trying to remove a load of concrete at a firm based at Baldwins Farm, in Dennises-Lane, Upminster, shortly after 1am.

A colleague with him was not hurt but was being treated for shock.

Essex police, who are investigating, said they had not formally identified the victim, who was from Elm Park, but his girlfriend and father had been informed.