Connor Borthwick, of Wigan, became trapped under the cutting machine which had become unbalanced at Partwell Special Steels Limited in Blackburn on November 25, 2021. Connor and a colleague were using skates placed underneath the machine to move it when it toppled over.

The 22-year-old sustained critical injuries to his abdomen and pelvis, leading to his death. In December lastyear, Partwell Special Steels Limited faced a £80,000 fine after pleading guilty to health and safety breaches.

The Health and Safety Executive emphasised that a thorough and appropriate assessment of the machinery would have highlighted that the skates were not fit for purpose.

Moreover, the HSE pointed out that Partwell Special Steels Limited neglected to evaluate the dangers linked with moving the apparatus, lacked proper planning for the task, and failed to establish a safe working procedure for its staff, reports the Manchester Evening News.

It was also found that neither Connor, originally from Worthing, West Sussex, nor his co-worker had received adequate training. Following Connor’s untimely passing, which led to an inquest opened a short time thereafter, further proceedings were postponed pending criminal investigations.

The conclusive inquest took place this week, during which area coroner Kate Bisset declared: "Connor John Borthwick died on November 25, 2021 at Bruce Street, Blackburn.

"Mr Borthwick attended this address as part of his employment as a maintenance engineer. Mr Borthwick and a colleague were attempting to move a large beam press machine within the premises.

"The machine was being placed on skates when it tipped over on top of Mr Borthwick, causing abdominal and pelvic injuries which resulted in his death. The act of moving the machine had not been risk assessed prior to the attempt."

After Connor's tragic passing, his sister Emily, representing Team GB as a high jumper, warmly remembered him as an 'amazing, caring, loving and funny little brother'.

"Everyone loved Connor," she continued. "He was a good soul, and this was evident from the more than 700 people who came to his funeral to pay their respects and share their personal accounts of how Connor had touched their lives.

"Some simple steps should have been taken and weren't, if they were Connor would be with us today".

A spokeswoman for Partwell Special Steels Limited expressed that the company's thoughts and prayers are with Mr Borthwick's family, sharing their heartache over the tragedy.

The representative affirmed that such an incident had never occurred before and assured that the firm had "made improvements" and pledged commitment to preventing a recurrence.

"Connor was a much-loved and respected member of our team and is greatly missed," she expressed. "His sense of humour and hilarious anecdotes always brought a smile to our faces. As a small family business, we care deeply about the health and safety of all our staff and continue to feel his absence."