Abattoir worker crushed to death by falling cow carcass

A TALENTED martial arts fighter has died after being crushed by a cow carcass while working at an abattoir

Ally McCrae, 23, is believed to have been washing his hands when the carcass, which could have weighed up to 600lbs, fell from an overhead hook at Sandyford abattoir in Paisley. McCrae was trapped and is thought to have suffered a heart attack.

Yesterday friends and colleagues in the martial arts world were in shock.

Trainer John Nicolson of the D-unit gym in Dumbarton, where McCrae trained, said: “It’s such a tragedy, none of us at the gym can quite believe what has happened. I can honestly say he was very talented and was a promising mixed martial artist.

“He was always at the gym after work and, knowing what happened, it’s going to be very difficult not having him around. Ally was such a colourful character, he will be terribly missed.”

McCrae, originally from Kilmarnock, moved to Dumbarton six months ago to be closer to the gym. A blue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and a skilled Thai boxer and wrestler. He had been working at the abattoir to fund his training in mixed martial arts (MMA). Friends said he dreamt of having a full-time career as a fighter.

David Bateman, editor of the Scottish Fighting Breakdown Magazine, said: “The Scottish MMA community will be in mourning after hearing this news.

“I met Ally for the first time over the summer and he was a lovely guy. It was impossible not to like him. My thoughts go out to his team-mates, his friends and his family.”

Writing on Facebook, one of McCrae’s friends, David Bell, said: “Losing someone so close to you is honestly the worst thing ever. Words cannot describe. Ally McCrae, you wee diamond. I’ll never forget you.”

Ally’s old school friend, Niky Browne, said: “He was my best mate. He was mad about music and we’re going to put on a huge gig in Ayrshire as a tribute to him. He was planning a future with his girlfriend Rachel. This is such a tragedy.”

Strathclyde Police said an investigation had been launched and a report would be sent to the procurator fiscal.

A police spokesman said: “A 23-year-old man sustained serious injuries after being crushed by the carcass of a cow at Sandyford abattoir in Paisley.

“He was taken to the Royal Alexandria Hospital, where he died a short time later.

“Inquiries into the incident are continuing. HSE has been informed and is in attendance.”

A spokesman for the Health and Safety Executive Scotland said “HSE is aware and working supporting the police in their investigation. Under the Work Related Deaths Protocol the police are leading the investigation.”

Sandyford abattoir, where the accident happened, was also the subject of an investigation last month when a worker was accidentally shot with an airgun.

Yesterday the gates of the abattoir, where a bouquet of flowers had been pinned, remained shut.