Elderly man crushed to death by lorry near Turriff

THE pensioner who died after being crushed by a lorry in an industrial accident in Aberdeenshire was the father of Scotland’s chief executive of the year, it was revealed today.
The man was died at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. Picture: Police ScotlandThe man was died at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. Picture: Police Scotland
The man was died at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. Picture: Police Scotland

Alfie Cheyne Senior, 71, died in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary on Wednesday night after being taken to hospital following the tragic accident at the Towie Barclay Works, five miles south of Turriff, in Aberdeenshire.

It is understood that Mr Cheyne, who was from the Turriff area, had been the driver of an articulated low-loader. He was trapped against a wall after the vehicle continued to move when he got out of his cab at the headquarters of Ace Winches, a company which was founded 20 years ago by his son Alfie Cheyne Jun.

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Mr Cheyne Jun was named Scotland’s chief executive of the year at the annual Scottish Business Awards in June . He collected the award in front of a 1,700-strong crowd, which included former US president Bill Clinton.

Ace Winches specialises in the design, manufacture and hire of winches and marine deck machinery for the North Sea, marine and renewable energy industries.

A spokeswoman for Ace Winches confirmed that Mr Cheyne Senior was the father of Alfie Cheyne, the company’s chief executive.

She said: “Everyone at Ace Winches is deeply saddened by this heartbreaking event and Alfie Senior will be sorely missed. Our thoughts are currently with his wife Gladys, immediate family, close friends and colleagues at this very difficult time.”

The accident in which Mr Cheyne Sen was fatally injured happened shortly after 5pm on Wednesday night. Mr Cheyne Sen was treated at the scene by a doctor and paramedics but died after being rushed by ambulance to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

A spokeswoman for Police Scotland said: “Police Scotland were alerted to an incident at the Towie Barclay Works, near Turriff, at around 5.13pm yesterday. As a result of the incident, a man in his 70s was trapped by a lorry within the yard and sadly the man died.”

Inspector John McCluskey of the Turriff and District Community Policing Team said: “Our enquiries are on-going into this tragic incident and our thoughts are with his family, friends and workmates at this very difficult time. A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal in due course.”