Safety experts began a probe yesterday after a workman was crushed to death between heavy plant machinery.
The 49-year-old man from Chester-le-Street, County Durham, who has not been named, was crushed between a tractor and a gritter at the Dunlop Tyres plant on the Wear Industrial Estate at Washington, where he worked.
The accident happened at around 9am yesterday, and today a mechanical engineering inspector from the Health and Safety Executive is due to visit the plant to carry out an investigation. HSE inspectors were also on the site yesterday.
Northumbria Police confirmed they had been notified about the death at around 9.05am, and had attended the scene.
They said the case was not being treated as suspicious, and the HSE was responsible for the investigation.
A Dunlop spokesman said: "An incident occurred within the grounds of Dunlop Tyres plant at Washington, which resulted in the death of an employee.
"We have begun an internal inquiry into the cause of this incident and we are supporting investigations conducted by the police and the coroner's office.
"Our immediate concern and support is for the family of the employee and no further comment can be made until the findings of the investigation are known."
An HSE spokesman said: "It is our understanding that the man was crushed between a tractor and a gritter unit."
