A NELSON engineering company and one of its directors have appeared in court on a health and safety charge following the death of one of their employees in May 2018.

Graham Engineering Ltd and Stuart Fraser, 64, entered not guilty pleas to failing to ensure, so far as reasonable practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all employees, including Colin Willoughby, in relation to risks arising out of working on or in close proximity to the Hugh Smith 1000 tonne press.

The case was sent to Burnley Crown Court where it will next be listed on February 5.

Mr Willoughby died after becoming trapped under the machine at the company’s premises in Edward Street, Whitehall’s Industrial Estate, Nelson.

The emergency services including police, paramedics and the fire brigade were called to the address at around 3pm May 21 but Mr Willoughby died at the scene.

He was later described by his wife, Jayne, as a “gentle giant.”

In a touching statement at the time, Mrs Willoughby said that her husband’s death had come as a massive shock to family and friends who were all devastated by the news.

A former colleague of Mr Willoughby also paid tribute to him, saying: “He was always busy and always had a smile on his face.

“He was a good listener and consequently you could always have a good debate with him. We’d always end up laughing.

“I’ll always remember Colin. He was just one of those rare people you don’t often meet.”

Bosses at Graham Engineering Ltd also paid respects to the ‘very popular and long-serving’ member of staff, pledging to work closely with the Health and Safety Executive to establish the facts surrounding the incident.