Untrained operator killed when truck overturns
 Tragically a 23 year old man was killed in February 1998 when the reach truck he was driving overturned. At Reading Crown Court in October 1999 the owner of a retail firm, pleaded guilty to various offences under the Health and Safety at Work Act, Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations and was fined £30,000 along with the prosecution's costs of £21,649.99. This accident, although unusual, can easily happen with reach trucks as, due to their design, they can tip backwards if the elevated mast hits an obstruction unlike counterbalanced machines which would probably remain stable in such an accident.
There were no witnesses to the accident which happened when the deceased, who was not trained or authorised to drive, decided to start practicing on the truck. It is believed that, as he drove between two rows of metal racking the truck's mast struck an overhead metal bar and the 3 tonne truck toppled over landing on top of the operator who suffered a fractured spine and died instantly.
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