BOSSES at Oswestry’s Access Hire Services have spoken of their shock at the death of one of their forestry workers in an accident at Bwlch-y-Cibau near Llanfyllin, describing him as a ‘father figure’ to their younger staff.
Ian Walker, Director of AHS, said everyone at the firm had been stunned by death of Welshpool employee Dave Francis, believed to have been killed by a falling branch in an accident at Bwlch-y-Cibau last Wednesday February 24:
“Dave Francis was a long term employee, a founder member of Access Hire Services, and brother-in-law of the company’s owner and managing director,” said Ian Walker, “Dave had worked with the company in the forestry industry for over 18 years.
“All of our employees’ have been shocked and saddened by his sudden death.
“Dave was a father figure to all the younger staff who worked with him. Our condolences go out to his wife and family.”
It is thought Mr Francis, had been cutting down trees in woodland behind the church at Bwlch-y-cibau, near Llanfyllin, as part of work being carried out on behalf of Scottish Power, when he was hit by a falling tree branch.
Emergency services were called to the scene at 2pm last Wednesday, but Dyfed Powys Police say the man was confirmed dead at the scene. Police and the Health and Safety Executive have launched an investigation. Ian Walker said Access Hire and Scottish Power would be carrying out their own investigation as well as assisting the Health and Safety Executive. He said: “The company is carrying out a full investigation alongside ScottishPower and supporting the HSE in their investigations.”