Van crush horror victim named

A man who died after he was crushed by his van in a freak accident when he tried to stop it rolling down a hill was named today as 21-year-old Michael Hill.

His devastated father Anthony, speaking to the Express & Star, said his son had locked the door of his works van but then looked back and saw it starting to roll. Michael then rushed to try and stop it and was pinned against the wall of a car parts centre in Factory Road in Tipton. The E.ON power supply company worker was killed by the impact.

Mr Hill, who lives in Sedgley Road with wife Deborah, said: "He had got out the van and then went to walk away. He then realised it was rolling and then rushed in front of it to try and push it back but he was pinned against a wall of a building."

Mr Hill said tributes had been pouring in for his son, who still lived at home with his parents.

He added: "It shows how popular he was as there have been so many flowers left at the scene. He loved going out with his friends and going clubbing. He didn't go to a particular pub he would go wherever." Michael leaves a brother Nicholas, aged 16.

Ambulance crews were called to Factory Road at 9pm on Thursday night to find the white Renault panel van had rolled down an embankment trapping Michael against the wall of A1 Clutch Centre.

Ambulance Service spokesman Murray MacGregor said: "When crews arrived they found a van which had gone down an embankment. The bonnet area had pinned a young man against the side of the factory unit.

"Crews immediately started assessment of the patient but unfortunately his injuries were too severe and despite all efforts he was confirmed dead at the scene."