Worker killed in scrap yard

A worker at J&P Metals in Picton died after he was struck by a big piece of metal early on Saturday morning.

The 48-year-old Bunbury man was cutting a big metal bucket from a front-end loader with an oxyacetylene torch when part of the bucket broke off and pinned him down.

The man died at the scene.

There were no witnesses to the incident, but it is believed the man was knocked unconscious when he was struck by the heavy piece of metal.

Upon finding the man, workmates used a crane to lift the piece of metal from his body.

WorkSafe WA officers attended the scrap metal yard on Cobblestone Road on Saturday and continued investigations into the incident yesterday.

WorkSafe spokeswoman Caroline De Vaney said officers would look at the company’s occupational health and safety practices.

An autopsy will be carried out to confirm the cause of the man’s death.

J&P Metals were contacted yesterday, but were unavailable for comment.