A LORRY driver has been found not guilty of manslaughter after a fork-lift truck operator was crushed to death at Halfords' Washford West centre.

Jason Traynor, 33, of Hasting Road, Charford, had denied the manslaughter of Harold Underwood in March last year.

The 58-year-old died when his fork-lift truck was struck by a lorry being driven by Mr Traynor at the Halfords' distribution centre, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.

Stephen Thomas, prosecuting, said Mr Underwood was transporting bales of waste paper on his truck and was on his way to collect a second load when his vehicle was struck by the lorry.

Mr Thomas claimed Mr Traynor was doing a 360-degree turn with his lorry at the time and alleged he took a "deliberate risk" with the manoeuvre.

"Mr Underwood's fork-lift truck must have been in Traynor's line of vision as he drove his lorry," said Mr Thomas.

He said the fork-lift truck was pushed along for a short while before toppling over, crushing Mr Underwood to death.

But Mr Traynor told the jury the incident was an accident and he never saw the truck. He said he was experienced in driving the lorry around carrying large loads and always took great care.

The jury accepted Mr Traynor's evidence and found him not guilty of manslaughter.

A Halfords spokesman confirmed Mr Traynor was employed by the TDG Agency at the time of the incident on a Halfords contract. He had not been employed by Halfords.