Cotswold Vehicle Recovery (Swindon) Limited has been prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after a worker sustained severe, life-changing injuries when he was crushed by a reversing recovery truck. The incident, which occurred on 13 June 2025 at the company’s Highworth premises, left employee Simon Pedder with multiple fractures and a punctured lung, fundamentally altering his ability to walk unaided.
Employee crushed by reversing truck now requires lifelong walking aids
On the day of the incident, Mr Pedder was carrying out routine yard duties when he was struck and pinned under a company-owned recovery vehicle. He suffered devastating injuries, including fractures to both legs and an arm, a punctured lung, and a fractured rib. Emergency services airlifted him to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, where he spent five weeks undergoing multiple operations, including extensive skin grafts, in an effort to rebuild his legs.
The HSE investigation into the incident revealed significant failings by Cotswold Vehicle Recovery (Swindon) Limited. Inspectors found that the company had not implemented a suitable traffic management system to ensure the safe co-existence of vehicles and pedestrians within its yard. Furthermore, adequate precautions to assist drivers reversing vehicles were conspicuously absent, a critical oversight given that reversing vehicles are a leading cause of workplace injuries.
More than ten months after the accident, Mr Pedder’s recovery remains arduous and incomplete. The severity of his injuries means he now relies on crutches, a Zimmer frame, and a wheelchair for mobility. He requires regular care visits and struggles with basic daily tasks, such as showering, without assistance. Medical professionals have informed him that he will likely need walking aids for the remainder of his life, a stark reality that has profoundly impacted his independence and quality of life.
Mr Pedder described the personal toll of the incident, stating that his freedom has been taken away. Once a sociable individual, he now spends his days largely confined to his home, experiencing low mood that affects not only himself but also his family. His personality, he notes, has undergone a complete transformation. Simple activities he once enjoyed, such as cutting the grass, folding laundry, or going for a walk, are now impossible. He is also no longer permitted to drive, further limiting his autonomy.
The ripple effect of the accident extends to his family, with his wife having to reduce her working hours to provide essential care. Their living room has been reconfigured to accommodate a hospital bed, a constant reminder of the incident’s lasting consequences. Mr Pedder expressed deep regret for the burden placed upon his loved ones, lamenting that his life will never be the same and asserting that the accident, which occurred while he was simply doing his job, should never have happened.
The HSE’s findings underscore the vital importance of robust workplace transport management. Employers are legally obligated to assess and control the risks associated with vehicles on their sites. Where pedestrians and vehicles share operational areas, traffic routes must be meticulously organised to prevent collisions. The HSE provides clear guidance, recommending measures such as one-way systems to eliminate the need for reversing wherever possible. In situations where reversing cannot be avoided, sites should be equipped with safety features like protective barriers, clear ground markings, and designated pedestrian crossing points to enhance safety and minimise risks.
This case serves as a critical reminder to all businesses operating vehicles that proactive risk assessment and the implementation of effective safety measures are paramount. The devastating consequences experienced by Mr Pedder highlight the human cost of neglecting fundamental health and safety duties, particularly concerning the management of reversing vehicles, which continue to pose a significant threat in workplaces across the country.
This story was originally published by HSE Media Centre
