A SHIPPING company was yesterday fined £4,000 following an accident in which a worker fell more than 30ft when his mobile crane toppled into a dry dock.

Experienced crane driver George Wright, 49, whose injuries from the accident at Cammell Laird's South Shields yard included broken feet, and shattered kneecaps and pelvis, said he intends to sue for damages.

The subsidiary of Cammell Laird (North-East), now known as Tyne Dock (Engineering), was also ordered to pay £1,742 costs after pleading guilty before South Tyneside magistrates to failing to maintain work equipment in efficient order and good repair.

Dr David Shallow, representing the Health and Safety Executive, told the court that Mr Wright was moving the crane around the dry dock when it began to tip to the side.

Mr Wright jumped clear and grabbed safety railings, but the crane continued to tip and tore the safety chains out as it fell. Mr Wright, too, fell to the bottom.

The crane was later found to have two faults - worn slew brakes and the switch to turn off diesel to stop the engine had been broken for some time.

Dr Shallow said it had never been determined whether the defects were the definitive cause of the accident.

Catherine Foster, mitigating, said the firm regretted the accident, but added the charge amounted to "minor technical violations".