Coleford Lucozade factory worker dies after serious incident

A death at Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I’s Coleford manufacturing site could result in a shortage of supplies of the company’s drinks, which include Lucozade and Ribena.

According to recent report, a 50-year-old man has died after a serious incident at a factory which makes soft drinks Ribena and Lucozade. Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I, which runs the factory in Coleford, Gloucestershire, confirmed a worker had died on April 22, BBC reported.

Carol Robert, chief operating officer of Suntory, said the firm was “deeply saddened” by the incident.

The Health and Safety England (HSE) said it is investigating the incident alongside Gloucestershire Police.

A police spokesperson confirmed the force received a call at 15:50 BST on 22 April with a report that a man had been injured during a workplace incident at a unit on Rock Lane in Coleford. He was airlifted to Southmead Hospital in Bristol to be treated for serious injuries but died on April 25, the force added.

Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I Chief Operating Officer, Carol Robert said, “A serious incident occurred in our warehouse at our Coleford manufacturing site on April 22.

“We are deeply saddened to confirm that this has resulted in the loss of a colleague. We are in close communication with the family of the employee and the whole business extends our sincere condolences at this extremely difficult time.

“We are cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation by the regulator. Given that it is very much a live investigation, it would not be appropriate to comment further. Our thoughts remain with the family of our colleague, and we would also ask that their privacy is respected at this time.”

The factory, one of the largest owned by Suntory in Europe, produces 1 billion bottles per year and employs about 300 people. Production at the factory ceased following the incident. It is said production at the factory is expected to resume in a phased approach.