THE family of a steel worker crushed to death at work is looking for answers as to how he died.

Three weeks ago, Bob Powlay, 54, of Coatham Road, Redcar, was crushed by a 20ft by 10ft steel plate at the Corus plant at Portrack, Stockton.

Health and safety officer Mr Powlay died on Monday, in Middlesbrough General Hospital, leaving a wife Margaret, 57, and daughter Jenny, 26, and son Chris, 23.

Mr Powlay worked at Smiths Dock for 25 years and had worked at British Steel, now Corus, for 16 years.

Corus and the Health and Safety Executive officials have launched an investigation into the incident.

A coroner's inquest is expected to be opened and adjourned this morning.

Mrs Powlay said: "We just feel that things should be moving. We just want them to let us know what happened and take us through the investigation.

"I want the investigation finished so that we can start to get on with our lives. I would hate anybody to feel like I do at the moment and go through this trauma."

Daughter Jenny stressed that the family was not looking to apportion blame; they just wanted to know what happened.

"It would be unfair to blame anyone, and we are not looking to do that, accidents by their definition, happen," she said.

A spokesman from Corus said: "Corus greatly regrets the death in hospital, on November 6, of Mr Powlay, following an accident at Stockton, on October 17. The company investigations into the cause of the accident have been extensive and are continuing.

"Colleagues at Stockton have had contact with the family since the accident occurred.