Meat plant worker dies after fumes incident

A meat processing worker who became overcome by fumes in a tank full of animal entrails died in hospital, police said today.

Glynn Thompson, from Weston Coyney in Staffordshire, was one of two employees rescued by firefighters from an offal hopper at a factory near Stoke-on-Trent yesterday.

He and his colleague, Ivan Torr, from nearby Kingsley Holt, were airlifted to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire, both in a critical condition.

A spokesman for the hospital confirmed Mr Thompson had died but that Mr Torr's condition was improving.

Police said Mr Thompson was pronounced dead yesterday afternoon.

It is thought one of the employees was trying to clear a blockage in the container when he fell ill and his colleague, who went in after him, was also overcome.

Fire crews conducted a 90-minute rescue operation in which the pair - both believed to be in their 40s - were treated with oxygen before being lifted out on stretchers.

A health and safety inquiry has been launched into the incident at Cheddleton-based John Pointon & Sons.