In a sobering reminder of the importance of workplace safety, Bestway Northern Limited, a leading grocery wholesaler, was fined £1 million in July 2025 after the tragic death of one of its employees, Lee Warburton. The 53-year-old father of three was killed by a reversing Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) during a delivery in Manchester in 2019. The incident, investigated by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), exposed significant lapses in the company’s safety protocols, prompting renewed calls for stricter adherence to health and safety regulations in the logistics and transportation sectors.
Image from CCTV at the time of the incident.
On 19 February 2019, Lee Warburton, a resident of Stockport, was working as a banksman, assisting a colleague in reversing an HGV into an unloading area at a retail store in central Manchester. During the manoeuvre, Warburton became trapped between the vehicle and a wall, suffering fatal crush injuries. Despite immediate medical intervention, he could not be saved. The incident occurred at a busy urban location, highlighting the inherent risks of vehicle operations in confined spaces.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) conducted a comprehensive investigation into the incident, uncovering critical failures in Bestway Northern’s safety practices. The investigation found that the company, based at Abbey Road, Park Royal, London, had not implemented a safe system of work for vehicle movements. Additionally, it failed to adequately assess the risks associated with the task or provide sufficient training for employees acting as banksmen. These oversights were deemed direct contributors to the tragic outcome.
At a hearing on 18 July 2025 at Manchester Magistrates’ Court, Bestway Northern Limited pleaded guilty to breaching regulation 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The court imposed a £1 million fine and ordered the company to pay prosecution costs of £11,950.07.
The loss of Lee Warburton has had a profound and lasting impact on his family. His partner, Hayley Tomlinson, shared the devastating emotional toll, stating, “To be taken in such a cruel manner made it even harder. Knowing the pain and fear Lee must have gone through was unbearable. But nothing compares to the moment I had to tell our children their daddy was never coming home.”
Warburton’s two daughters, aged nine and ten at the time of the incident, have faced significant mental health challenges, including depression and social isolation, underscoring the far-reaching consequences of workplace accidents.
Bestway Northern Limited accepted responsibility for the incident by pleading guilty to the charges brought by the HSE. The company has not publicly released a detailed statement regarding the incident or the fine, but the guilty plea indicates an acknowledgment of the safety failures identified by the investigation.
The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with workplace transport, particularly reversing vehicles. HSE inspector Jane Carroll noted that nearly a quarter of all workplace transport-related deaths occur during reversing, many of which could be prevented with proper precautions. To avoid similar incidents, employers in the logistics and transportation sectors should adopt the following measures:
- Conduct Thorough Risk Assessments: Identify and mitigate potential hazards associated with vehicle movements in the workplace.
- Implement Safe Systems of Work: Develop and enforce procedures to minimize risks, such as using spotters, installing reverse cameras, or employing proximity sensors on HGVs.
- Provide Adequate Training: Ensure all employees involved in vehicle operations, including banksmen, receive comprehensive training tailored to their roles.
- Regularly Review Safety Protocols: Periodically update safety measures to reflect changes in operations, technology, or regulations.
- Foster a Safety Culture: Encourage employees to report hazards and suggest improvements, creating an environment where safety is prioritized.
The HSE provides detailed guidance on workplace transport safety, available at HSE Workplace Transport Guidance, which businesses can consult to enhance their safety practices.
The £1 million fine imposed on Bestway Northern underscores the legal and moral imperative for businesses to prioritize workplace safety. The logistics industry, with its reliance on heavy vehicles and complex operations, faces unique challenges in ensuring employee safety. This case highlights the need for ongoing vigilance and investment in safety measures to protect workers and prevent devastating losses.
Comparative incidents, such as the £220,000 fine issued to The British Millerain Company in 2025 for a similar reversing HGV accident, indicate that workplace transport safety remains a critical issue across industries. These cases collectively emphasize the importance of proactive risk management and adherence to health and safety regulations.
Table: Fleetpoint
The tragic death of Lee Warburton and the subsequent £1 million fine imposed on Bestway Northern Limited serve as a poignant reminder of the consequences of failing to prioritize workplace safety. As industries evolve, businesses must remain committed to implementing and maintaining robust safety protocols to protect their employees. By learning from this incident and adopting best practices, the logistics sector can work towards a safer future, ensuring that no family endures the heartbreak experienced by Lee Warburton’s loved ones.
