THE jury in the trial of a haulier accused of manslaughter after his lorry loader tipped over at Ipswich Docks and a man was crushed to death has retired to consider its verdict.

Before Ipswich Crown Court is Paul Napier, 48, of Inglenook, Clacton-on-Sea who has denied the manslaughter of 52-year-old Neville Wightman, of Penzance Road, Kesgrave shortly before Christmas 2011.

During the week-long trial the court heard that Mr Wightman, who worked for Red 7 Marine, was crushed to death under a pontoon which slipped off Napier’s lorry loader when it tipped over at Ipswich Docks. Mr Wightman’s colleague Steven Burden, suffered serious injuries to his hip and pelvis in the incident.

Napier chose not to give evidence during the trial but in a prepared statement to police after the tragedy he said that on the day in question he had been distracted on his arrival at Ipswich docks by chatting to Mr Wightman and Mr Burden and had not lowered the stabilising legs on his lorry loader before starting to unload a pontoon with a crane on his vehicle.

The jury retired to consider its verdict yesterday (Tues) afternoon and will continue its deliberations today (Wed).