Prosecution over steelman's death

Frank Coles was performing a routine task at the plant

Steelmaker Corus will be prosecuted over the death of a worker at its Trostre tinplate plant in Llanelli.

Frank Coles, 42, died in 2003 after he was hit in the neck by a heavy plate while performing a routine task on a mill used to make steel coils.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said it had told Mr Coles' family and the firm it would prosecute and that legal action would begin immediately.

A jury recorded a verdict of accidental death at an inquest held in 2005.

In a statement the HSE said: "Corus UK Ltd has been advised of the intention to prosecute in relation to the incident in January 2003 in which one of their employees, Frances Coles, died.

We are as concerned as they are to make sure we are as safe at work as we possibly can be Corus

"With the legal process due to begin immediately it would not be appropriate for HSE to comment further at this stage."

A spokesman for Corus said: "It was a profoundly tragic incident.

"When an accident happens like that on any of our works, there is an immense sense of loss among the workers.

"A full investigation took place and the HSE was called in as a matter of course.

"We are as concerned as they are to make sure we are as safe at work as we possibly can be."

After the inquest, Mr Coles's parents, Christine and Eric, paid tribute to their son, saying: "We miss him terribly. He will be with us until the day we die. We loved him so much."