Horrifying footage shows final moments of labourer killed instantly when he fell into industrial shredder while trying to unblock it – as his boss and employer are found guilty of manslaughter

Horrifying footage shows the moment a worker died after falling into an industrial shredder.

David Willis, 29, fell into a wood and commercial waste shredder at Timmins Waste Services (TWS) in Wolverhampton.

CCTV from the tragedy on September 15, 2018 shows Mr Willis being lifted to his car by the grapple of a JCB excavator.

His boss, yard manager Brian Timmins, was in the cab of the excavator and told Willis to clear the clog in the grinder while he worked.

Mr. Willis knelt on the edge of the car, but when he reached down, he fell inside and was instantly killed by the huge interlocking blades.

The footage shows Timmins climbing to the top of the bunker and looking inside before leaving the scene and pulling out his mobile phone.

Prosecutor Christine Agnew said CCTV evidence showed the machine was still running at the time but should have been switched off.

He then called Mr Willis’s number before climbing back into the excavator and continuing to work, meaning the worker’s remains were buried in shredded waste.

As Mr Willis disappeared inside the car, Timmins was seen on CCTV looking around the yard and inside the shredder “hopper”, which directs waste towards the machine’s blades, before calling Mr Willis.

He was then seen peering out of the yard gate and running around the area before returning to the excavator and continuing to work on the shredder.

The next day Timmins returned to the yard where workers removed 80 tonnes of recycled waste, including Mr Willis’s remains, to a landfill site in Cannock, Staffs.

Unfortunately, police believe Mr. Willis’ remains will never be found.

Timmins, 54, from Albrighton in Wolverhampton, was found guilty of manslaughter and the company guilty of corporate manslaughter this week.

Timmins and TWS previously admitted health and safety charges.

West Midlands Police released footage of the tragedy following the trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court.

Foreman of the jury, Mr. Willis’ mother reported him missing the night he failed to return home from work.

It was only when his coat was found near the shredder two days later that CCTV from the previous Saturday was reviewed and it was discovered he had fallen into the shredder.

Detective Inspector Jim Colclough, who led the investigation, said: “We found serious system failures at TWS which meant workers were at risk.

“Risk assessments were not carried out and safe working practices were simply not implemented.

Timmins’ failure to block the chopper and his decision to put Willis in a dangerous position were direct causes of this tragedy.

“We spent many weeks searching for a site in Cannock but only found part of a tabard which may have belonged to David.

“The fact that we were unable to cure David added to his family’s suffering and denied them the opportunity to say goodbye to him with dignity.”

The jury was unable to reach a verdict on the obstruction of justice charge brought against Timmins.

Timmins, who was granted unconditional bail, and TWS will be sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court on a date to be fixed.

After the trial, Mr Willis’ family said in a statement: “David’s death is as painful to us now as it was five years ago.”

“David missed out on so many precious family moments, including the birth of his niece and the growing up of his nephew, who still regards David as his superhero in the sky.”

Following the sentencing, Mr Willis’ family said in a statement released by West Midlands Police: “David’s death is as painful to us now as it was five years ago.

“David missed out on so many treasured family moments, including the birth of his niece and the growing up of his nephew, who still regards David as his superhero in the sky.”