A veteran was killed when he was run over by a heavy-duty machine on New Year’s Eve.
The fatal incident happened at the Crapper and Sons landfill site in Brinkworth in the early hours of the morning, at around 2.20am, sparking major police investigation.
A man in his 60s from Chippenham, named locally as Steve Beacham, was reportedly floored by a loading shovel – a piece of digger-like machinery weighing up to 20 tonnes. Despite the best efforts of emergency medics, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
A source told Wiltshire 999s that the machine was being driven by the victim’s son, British Army reserve and Chippenham Rugby Football Club coach John Beacham.
A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) spokesperson said: “HSE is aware of the incident and is making initial enquiries. We cannot comment further at this time.”
Wiltshire Police confirmed it has been leading the investigation but said the case will soon be handed over to the HSE. The force added that they are ‘treating the incident as non-suspicious’ at this stage.
Chippenham Rugby Football Club issued a public announcement on 4 January, passing on the news of Steve’s death following 30 years of club membership.
“The Club would like to advise that Steve Beacham sadly passed away on New Years Eve and the family are trying to absorb this massive loss”, a spokesperson wrote.
Adding: “Our thoughts go out to all the Beacham family and Steve’s many friends.”
On the day of the fatal incident, police released the following statement:
“We were called to reports of an incident involving two employees from Crapper and Sons Landfill Ltd, Brinkworth Road, Wootton Bassett, in the early hours of this morning (around 2.20am). Ambulance staff were also on scene.
“One man, in his 60s from the Chippenham area, sadly died at the scene. Next of kin have been informed.
“Wiltshire Police, alongside the Health and Safety Executive, will continue enquiries into the cause of the incident.”
