A 20-YEAR-OLD man died on his first day at work for a new company when the four-tonne dumper he was driving toppled over a bank and crushed him, according to The Health and Safety Executive.

A statement from the organisation says Daniel Whiston, from Dulverton, had only had 30 minutes’ training before being allowed to drive the dumper which killed him at Sweetings Farm, near Tiverton, on October 27, 2009.

Exeter Crown Court heard yesterday (Tuesday) how Mr Whiston’s employers, Wedgewood Buildings Ltd, had been contracted to expand a pond on the farm, which involved excavating and moving spoil around the site.

On the day of the tragedy, Mr Whiston was driving the dumper when it toppled off the side of a causeway and down a 60 degree slope, turning over and crushing him underneath.

The HSE, which later prosecuted William Friend and Robert Plume, company directors of Wedgewood Buildings Ltd, investigated and found a number of failings, including “serious defects” in the dumper, including its steering and brakes.

It also said the excavator driver who showed Mr Whiston how to use the dumper had not been trained to teach him properly.

Plume, of East Street, South Molton, and Friend, of Swimbridge, near Barnstaple, each pleaded guilty to a breach of health and safety legislation. Each was given a 12-month custodial sentence, suspended for two years, and 180 hours of community service. They were also ordered to pay costs of £25,000 each.

HSE inspector Jonathan Harris said afterwards: “The very serious failures to manage this job properly contributed to the tragic and needless loss of a young man’s life.”