A council binman has died in a freak accident when he was run over by his own truck.

The vehicle and three of the crew were collecting waste when John Moffatt, 51, walked to the front of the truck. It then rolled forward, trapping him under it.

Mr Moffatt, 51, from Castle Close in Morpeth, was working in Spelvit Lane in the town with two colleagues on Monday morning, when the incident happened.

People in the street were woken by cries and screams from his colleagues and nearby householders, Christina Finlay and her husband Stephen, rushed out with a sleeping bag to cover Mr Moffatt until paramedics arrived.

A police spokesman said he was taken to Wansbeck General Hospital, where he later died from his injuries.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has begun an investigation into the incident.

The scene of the tragedy was sealed off for more than three hours by police.

A spokesman for Castle Morpeth Borough Council said: "The council's management, staff and members are deeply saddened to hear of the death last night of John Moffatt, who had been a member of our Green and Clean team here for over 10 years.

"Our thoughts and sympathies are with his family at this very difficult time.

"We now await the report of the Health and Safety Executive and the police before commenting further on the details of this tragic accident."