A 49-year-old machine worker who was crushed to death when a two-tonne boiler fell on him, has been named.

David Martin, of Lichfield Close, Kingston Park, Newcastle, suffered multiple injuries when part of an industrial boiler landed on him, at Service Welding Supplies, Davy Bank, Wallsend, on Tuesday.

It appeared that the father had been operating an overhead lift that carried the boiler, when he lost control of the winch, bringing the cargo crashing down.

An investigation has been launched by the Health and Safety Executive. Police are not treating the incident as suspicious.

Mick Allen, managing director of Service Welding Supplies, said that he could not comment on the accident until the investigation had been completed.

But he said: "The directors and staff would like to offer their deepest sympathies to Mr Martin's immediate family."