'Heart attack killed forklift victim'

Published on Monday 9 November 2009 23:35

A MAN who was crushed by a forklift in East Lothian may have suffered a heart attack moments before the accident.

George Thompson, 57, was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics at Greendykes Farm, Macmerry, on Friday morning.

His brother John spoke yesterday of his devastation following the death of his younger sibling.

John Thompson, 67, said: "George was always careful and was always scared something would happen.

"I don't think the machine trapped him, as it can't have been going more than five miles per hour.

"I had a heart attack when I was 57, so I'm worried the same thing has happened to him. I was always telling him to be careful."

Mr Thompson, from Port Seton, said that his brother – known to friends as "Godd" – was a great family man.

He said: "He lived for his family, and would do anything for them. If there was anything wrong in the family, he would be there.

"He was a great dad, and was super with his children.

"He was very particular about his work, and everything had to be spot-on."

George, who was one of six siblings, was working for farmer Martin Steven at the time of the tragedy.

Mr Steven said: "It wasn't his style to take a chance and walk behind the machine.

"George had done a lot of work for me over the past 15 years – he was always very careful, and I would say the same for the driver of the forklift.

A spokesperson for Lothian and Borders Police said on Friday that there were no suspicious circumstances, and that the Health and Safety Executive had visited the scene of the accident.

A post-mortem examination is due to take place today.