Trial opens into death of bin man

The trial of bin lorry driver Ronald Fieldhouse, accused of death by careless driving, when he accidentally ran over a colleague, has opened at Leeds Crown Court.

David Nelson worked as a banksman, whose role it was to put rubbish into the back of the truck and then guide the lorry as it reversed down the road. He died when the truck, driven by Mr Fieldhouse, mounted the pavement and hit a telegraph pole in Beeston Park Terrace in Leeds. The pole fell to the ground, hitting Mr Nelson who was working at the back of the vehicle. Mr Nelson was pronounced dead at the scene after suffering a severe head trauma.

Heather Gilmore, for the Crown, told the jury that by reversing onto the pavement the defendant had driven carelessly and he had also failed to stop when Mr Nelson disappeared from view. Mr Fieldhouse denies the charge. The case is expected to last three days.