Last updated at 13:21, Tuesday, 02 October 2012

Carlisle's Pirelli factory has been 'handed back' to the company by police following the death of a worker on Sunday.

Pirelli, Carlisle

The plant had been closed and a major investigation started by police after George Falder died at the Dalston Road site.

Police, who are treating as suspicious the death of the 48-year-old, from Carlisle, handed the factory back to the firm last night.

The cause of Mr Falder's death has not been confirmed but police say he was found inside machinery.

Pirelli had suspended production at the tyre factory - which employs about 850 people - "to facilitate the investigation." Workers were told to report for work at 10am today.

In a statement released yesterday (Monday) afternoon, the company said it was "deeply saddened" to announce the death.

"The circumstances of this tragic event are still unclear and the matter is being investigated by the Cumbria police, with Pirelli’s full support. To allow the investigation to take its course, Pirelli cannot make any further comment at this stage.

"The company recognises the traumatic impact to the family of the deceased and will do everything it can to help them through this terrible tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with them," adds the statement.

An ambulance was called to the site at 6.23pm on Sunday. Mr Falder was treated by ambulance crews but was pronounced dead at the scene.

A police spokesman said: “The cause of death is not yet known and the police are treating the death as suspicious.”

They said yesterday that no arrests had been made. Officers are liaising with the Health and Safety Executive.

A spokeswoman added: “The investigations are still going on to find out what happened.”

A post mortem was held yesterday.

Small numbers of shell-shocked staff gathered at the factory’s entrance yesterday. They declined to comment.

Pirelli is one of Carlisle's biggest employers and produces high-end quality tyres for big brand luxury cars.

Anyone with information about the man’s death should call Carlisle CID on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

First published at 06:00, Monday, 01 October 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk