Fawley Refinery Death: Man Named

A man who died following an industrial accident at an oil refinery has been named by police.

Anthony McGowan, 57, of Ebbw Vale, south-east Wales, died at Southampton General Hospital after the incident at the Fawley refinery in the New Forest in Hampshire on Thursday July the 21st.

A spokeswoman for Hampshire Constabulary said the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) were working with police to establish the exact circumstances of his death.

The incident happened at the Exxon Mobil refinery, the largest in the UK and one of the most complex in Europe.

It is understood the victim, believed to have been a rigger employed by a contractor, became trapped beneath pipes at the sprawling site.

The refinery has a mile-long marine terminal which handles around 2,000 ship movements and 22 million tonnes of crude oil and other products every year.

The refinery processes around 330,000 barrels of crude oil a day and provides 20% of UK refinery capacity.

In a statement on Thursday, the refinery said:

''An investigation has been launched which will run in parallel with the HSE's and the police's own investigations.

''Our key priority continues to be the safety and well-being of our people and the safe operation of the site.

''Consequently, non-essential work in the area of Fawley where the incident happened has been suspended until further notice.

''Everyone at Fawley is deeply saddened by the death and our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time.''