Factory death man named as inquiry launched

A MAN who was killed in an apparent accident at a chipboard factory was named last night.

Merseyside Police confirmed that sub-contractor James Dennis Kay, 62, died after an incident at the Sonae site in Moss Lane, Kirkby, on Saturday. He lived in Heywood, Greater Manchester.

Police said a post-mortem examination carried out yesterday had proved inconclusive as to a cause of death.

The pathologist has decided to withhold his findings until the results from further tests are known,.

A joint investigation by Merseyside Police and the Health and Safety Executive is continuing.

The death follows an incident last December when two workers died after they fell into a machine at the factory.

In June, George Howarth, Labour MP for Knowsley, called for the site to be permanently closed down.

In a statement on Saturday, Mr Howarth said: "I'm deeply saddened by this latest tragic incident.

"It is barely three weeks since I said that 'as matters stand, I don't see how anyone can have any confidence in Sonae to operate safely and with stability'.

"It's too early to comment on the details about this tragic incident, but I sincerely hope that this will never happen again."

Sonae Industria manufactures chipboard and particle board for use in the furniture and construction industries.