A worker has been crushed to death in a factory accident in the Black Country.

David Hunt, aged 49, was killed when a metal beam fell on to his chest at Arkinstall Galvanizing Ltd in Tividale.

An air ambulance called to the scene was not able to land immediately because the road was blocked by parked cars as parents collected children from school.

Paramedics had freed Mr Hunt, thought to be from the Gornal area, and he was taken to Dudley’s Russells Hall Hospital suffering from breathing difficulties, neck and back injuries, but he later died.

The accident happened at 3pm yesterday.

His family and workers at the steelworks were today said to be “upset and shocked” by the tragedy.

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A worker has been crushed to death in a factory accident in the Black Country.

David Hunt, aged 49, was killed when a metal beam fell on to his chest at Arkinstall Galvanizing Ltd in Tividale.

An air ambulance called to the scene was not able to land immediately because the road was blocked by parked cars as parents collected children from school.

Paramedics had freed Mr Hunt, thought to be from the Gornal area, and he was taken to Dudley’s Russells Hall Hospital suffering from breathing difficulties, neck and back injuries, but he later died.

The accident happened at 3pm yesterday.

His family and workers at the steelworks were today said to be “upset and shocked” by the tragedy.

The partner of a worker at the company, who did not want to be named, said Mr Hunt’s father had also worked there for many years but had since moved to Spain and his son had told colleagues he hoped to visit in the New Year. She said the accident was a “terrible shock”.

Kim Barnett, aged 42, office manager at Derick King (Motors) Ltd, the unit opposite Arkinstall Galvanizing, said that the county air ambulance was called to the scene yesterday but could not land because of school traffic.

She said: “The cars park both sides of the road.

“The air ambulance was circling for ages but couldn’t land because of the parked cars. I think it had to land further down the road.”

Anita Batra, the owner of the nearby Batra General Store, said: “I was so sad to hear it. He was such a lovely person.”

The Government’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has confirmed it is investigating the accident in conjunction with the police, but officers said there was “no suggestion of malice”.