AN inquest has been opened and adjourned into the death of a HGV driver who was crushed while working at a Brierley Hill industrial estate.

Leighton Jardine, 60, of Stafford, was trapped between a lorry and a trailer at Tuffnells Parcels Express on The Wallows Industrial Estate, off Fens Pool Road, at 10pm on January 22.

West Midlands Ambulance crews attended the incident, but despite advanced life support being carried out by medics, he was confirmed dead at the scene.

An inquest opened at Sandwell Coroners Court, in Smethwick, this morning (February 2), with Russell Williams, coroner’s investigator, saying Mr Jardine, who was born in Grenada, was “fatally injured when trapped between a lorry and trailer”.

Mr Williams also confirmed the post mortem results into Mr Jardine’s death were from crushing to the chest and abdomen.

The hearing was adjourned, and a pre-inquest hearing into the death will take place from 11am on March 16 at the same court, senior Black Country coroner Zafar Siddique said.

Mr Jardine’s wife and sister were present at the hearing, as well as representatives from the Health and Safety Executive who are due to take over the investigation from West Midlands Police later this week.