THE Health and Safety Executive has decided not to investigate the injury to a man working in the hold of a ship on Immingham Docks when he was buried by an avalanche of coal.
Ian Jennings, 58, was today undergoing surgery at Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital to a serious leg injury sustained when coal in the hold of MV Tango Sea came down on top of him.
Today an HSE spokesman said: “The incident does not meet the criteria for an investigation to be carried out. We are aware of what happened but will not be taking the matter any further.”
As reported, emergency services battled for more than an hour to haul Ian to safety after his brother Kenny raised the alarm.
The 67-year-old, working in the same hold as his brother, on Immingham Docks, pictured, scooped coal away with his hands to reach him.
A number of other ships' crew scrambled to free the trapped stevedore.
The rescue drama happened at about 9.30pm on Saturday as the team worked to clear build-ups of coal from the sides and floor of the hold, which is thought to be about 90ft deep.
The cargo of the 51,000 tonne vessel was being unloaded when a quantity of coal built up one the side of the hold slipped, crushing Mr Jennings.
From his hospital bed, he told the Grimsby Telegraph: "All the emergency services did a great job and I thank them all, as well as my brother and the rest of the crew."
His anxious family, of First Avenue, Nunsthorpe, were today at his bedside in Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital, where he is being treated for leg injuries.
Daughter Katey Jennings, 30, said: "He is in a really bad way. We thought he was going to lose his leg, but they are going to put in metal plates to reconstruct it.
"He might not be able to walk properly again."
She told how her father was at the bottom of the hold at the time.
"It was lucky Uncle Kenny was there, because dad was up to his neck in coal," said Katey.
"He heard dad shouting for help. We thought we had lost him.
"It is going to be a long road to get him back to how he was."
The brothers have worked as stevedores on the docks for 12 years, and are currently employed by Grimsby and Immingham Stevedores.
Katey added: "The staff at the hospital have been lovely to dad, and all the emergency services have been great. The ambulance crew was brilliant too; they have been back to see him in hospital.
"They were with him for about an hour and a half as they tried to get him out.
"He had to be placed on a stretcher and put in a cradle and hoisted out of the hold.
"The emergency services could not have done more."
Ian's wife Irene said: "He has said himself how lucky he is to still be with us.
"He told me he was determined to get out and how he tried to shake the coal off him."
Humberside Fire and Rescue Service firefighters assisted paramedics to hoist Mr Jennings to safety.
A quayside crane was used to lift the cradle out of the hold to a waiting ambulance.
Humberside Fire and Rescue Service watch manager Mick Coult told how fellow watch manger Les Clark went down into the darkened hold alongside two firefighters to assist paramedics.
He said: "Fortunately the vessel had its own cradle, which made it a lot easier to get him out.
"Crews go out to do their job. We are glad to be of service and it is a pleasing outcome.
"We wish him a speedy recovery."
He said fire crews had responded to a similar incident two years ago.
Tragically, Tim Elton, 28, of Immingham, was killed aboard MV Excalibur on January 27, 2012, when a ship was being unloaded.
Steve Pratten, community response manager for East Midlands Ambulance Service, added: "Crews often face very challenging and difficult situations but this particular incident was unusual and presented a unique challenge to the crews in dark, cold, dirty and wet conditions.
"I am extremely proud of the paramedic crew that attended and also the Community First Responder who attended this incident.
"I have no doubt that the situation would be difficult and potentially dangerous.
"But all of the staff worked together in the best interest of the patient. I wish him a speedy recovery."
Mr Jennings was described as being in a stable condition in hospital.
A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) spokesman said: "The HSE has not been informed of the incident.
"By law, a firm has up to ten days to report any incidents."
A spokesman for Grimsby and Immingham Stevedores declined to comment.
How serious does it have to be before the HSE investigates. Are they becoming reactive rather then proactive. Surely the objective is to avoid accidents by being proactive. It is becoming all to easy for companies to avoid Health and Safety at work.
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