Forklift victim was 'loving, genuine and well-respected'
By Owain Johnston-Barnes
|
|
Tribute: Jonathan Willis, originally from Wales, died on Monday afternoon in an industrial accident involving a forklift.
|
|
|
|
A family was left devastated after the loss of a husband and father in an industrial accident on Monday.
S.A.L. mechanic Jonathan Willis, 39, from Paget died after he was trapped under a forklift in an accident at a Hamilton Parish construction site.
He leaves a wife of seven years, Samantha, and a two-year-old daughter.
Born in Wales, Mr. Willis came to the Island three years ago with his wife. His daughter, Megan, was born on the Island.
Megan's godmother and close family friend Emily Boden called Mr. Willis a family man and "one of the most genuine, well-respected people".
"We're all devastated. He was more than just loving, he would do anything for anyone. Genuine is probably the best way to describe him. He was reliable, dependable."
Ms Boden said that the family learned of Mr. Willis' death by a phone call shortly after the accident.
"Sam called me from hospital. (S.A.L.) called her straight after the accident happened. From what I understand, they tried to resuscitate him but it didn't work.
"They haven't been able to tell us much about what happened. They're doing an investigation right now."
Little information has been publicly revealed about the accident. Mr. Willis, a mechanic, was working at a construction site at Wilkinson's Quarry on Duck's Puddle Drive in Hamilton Parish.
A Police spokesperson said: "Mr. Willis was the victim of an industrial accident where he became trapped under a forklift at around 4 p.m. Monday.
"He was subsequently pronounced dead at the scene by an on call physician."
S.A.L. did not return calls for comment by press time however Ms Boden said that the company has been keeping in contact with Mr. Willis' family.
Bermuda Public Services Union general secretary Ed Ball said yesterday that the accident should inspire changes in safety regulations.
"Anytime there is a worker who dies because of an industrial accident, there needs to be a serious re-look at health and safety at that work site, and at other companies," said Mr. Ball. "It's always disturbing.
"I'm sure that the Ministry of Health and Safety will make whatever revisions are deemed necessary. We must change the old ways of thinking."
The Ministry of Health expressed their condolences to Mr. Willis' family, and said that an investigation into the fatal accident is underway.
While they said they would not comment specifically on the details of the incident until the investigation is complete, a spokesperson did say: "The Ministry of Health is concerned about all accidents in the workplace. They have just concluded consultation with stakeholders and will be shortly gazetting amendments to the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations."
