Just wondering if anyone knows what happened at Tesco Widnes on 20th march?
According to the BBC news site, a male in his 50’s was airlifted to hospital following crush injuries between 2 vehicles
According to a driver on a CPC module I attended this week, the driver has died, and he was crushed whilst helping his mate to couple up … he allegedly was on the back of the unit ready to connect the suzies and his mate missed the pin.
In 33 years of driving, I have NEVER seen anyone stood on the back of a unit whilst someone else is coupling, and I certainly don’t believe that is what happened on this occasion, just wondered if anyone can throw any light on the job.
You’re correct in not believing it. Two fitters were involved, one did get airlifted with crush injuries but is now out of intensive care. The pin wasn’t missed and no-one was stood on the back on the unit.
Thanks for that, not only glad the guy is not dead, as I was (so reliably) told, but also that he is out of intensive care.
Hoping he makes a full recovery.
Hi fellas,
I work in Stobart ports over the road and the area was shut for Tesco, our health and safety officer told me that two scania fitters were involved.
One was doing something by the pin on the trailer and the other brought a unit round to couple to the trailer not realising his colleague was under the trailer, he went under but wasn’t straight so pulled forward and reversed under again, as he jumped out to clip the dog clip he realised the other fitter crushed and almost snapped into two.
He couldn’t shout as his ribs and lungs were damaged causing him not to shout for help !
Nasty stuff but we’ve not heard if the guy is dead or not.
Nasty, must of missed that. Nice chaps them fellows at the garage. Hope they get make a quick recovery and get back to work soon.
I bet the fitter driving feels terrible, causing an injury like that to a workmate
espresso:
I bet the fitter driving feels terrible, causing an injury like that to a workmate
He does. He’s back at work and he’s been to Hospital to see the lad, but he’s not himself still.
Blimey I’m surprised he’s back at work so soon but I suppose it’s better to nip the PTSD in the bud.
Horrible business for all concerned. I would observe though that, from what we’ve been told, this probably would not have happened if the driver had got out and checked the 5th wheel height before backing under. Just a thought maybe?
Roymondo:
Horrible business for all concerned. I would observe though that, from what we’ve been told, this probably would not have happened if the driver had got out and checked the 5th wheel height before backing under. Just a thought maybe?
Does any one actually do that. most of us just back under and raise the air until the trailer rises then push it home surly you can tell just by looking at as you drive up to see if to high in the days of steel suspension you may have got out . Hope all make a full and speedy recovery
chester1:
Roymondo:
Horrible business for all concerned. I would observe though that, from what we’ve been told, this probably would not have happened if the driver had got out and checked the 5th wheel height before backing under. Just a thought maybe?
Does any one actually do that. most of us just back under and raise the air until the trailer rises then push it home surly you can tell just by looking at as you drive up to see if to high in the days of steel suspension you may have got out . Hope all make a full and speedy recovery
i mainly do this.to many drivers funny but i do.some time not.
Oddly enough, I do it! It’s how I was told to do it for my test so I carried on doing it.
I always get out and check before coupling , company expects me to I also check park brake, tyres and look for any serious damage I’m hourly paid and if that’s what they want that’s what they get !
We split couple, being on reefers there isn’t much room if your on the pin.
I back under slightly with the unit suspension down, once under I lift her off her legs, then jump out and check parking brake, tyres etc before connecting the suzies up.
I never get out and check before going under although I always have a good look from the cab as I’m approaching the trailer as you can tell if it’s going to be too high.
chester1:
Does any one actually do that. most of us just back under and raise the air until the trailer rises then push it home surly you can tell just by looking at as you drive up to see if to high in the days of steel suspension you may have got out . Hope all make a full and speedy recovery
So you don’t get out and check that the trailer brake is on either then before coupling?
NewLad:
We split couple, being on reefers there isn’t much room if your on the pin.
I back under slightly with the unit suspension down, once under I lift her off her legs, then jump out and check parking brake, tyres etc before connecting the suzies up.
I never get out and check before going under although I always have a good look from the cab as I’m approaching the trailer as you can tell if it’s going to be too high.
You really ought to be checking that trailer brake before you lift the legs off the ground - especially if the surface it’s standing on has any sort of a slope…
I was taught that you back up to the trailer, but to get out and check the brake before the unit touches it. Old fashioned, I know 
Roymondo:
NewLad:
We split couple, being on reefers there isn’t much room if your on the pin.
I back under slightly with the unit suspension down, once under I lift her off her legs, then jump out and check parking brake, tyres etc before connecting the suzies up.
I never get out and check before going under although I always have a good look from the cab as I’m approaching the trailer as you can tell if it’s going to be too high.
You really ought to be checking that trailer brake before you lift the legs off the ground - especially if the surface it’s standing on has any sort of a slope…
I was taught that you back up to the trailer, but to get out and check the brake before the unit touches it. Old fashioned, I know
Why? Well I know that you’re gonna say in case the trailer has lost its air and this will prevent it rolling away as you attempt to pick it up. The thing is it won’t though will it? If it’s gonna roll it’s gonna roll regardless of the trailer brake being on or not. In the old days of mechanical handbrakes I’d agree with you (did anyone put them on then?) if drivers were meant to use the trailer brake it’d be a big handle that slippery gloves could hold onto and pull. Trailer brake buttons are for fitters. Rollaways are caused by inept drivers forgetting to put the vehicle handbrake on, it’s really that simple.
My concern would not be that it might roll away completely (it won’t) but that it might move when or in a direction that I don’t expect or want it to (especially if parked on a slope or typical crater-strewn trailer parking area). There’s also the possibility of a fitter working under/behind the trailer without my knowledge (which is exactly the scenario that started this whole discussion…).