A QUARRY worker has described the moment he ran over his friend in what was described as a tragic accident.

Ashley Mortimer told an inquest yesterday how he “felt a bump” when driving his Cat 966 loading shovel truck at Burford Quarry on Saturday, November 30.

It was only when he turned around that he realised he had knocked down colleague and friend Les Hole, of Broadmarsh Lane in Freeland, near Witney.

A jury at Oxfordshire Coroner's Court heard yesterday that dad-of-three Mr Hole, 52, and Mr Mortimer were the only two workers on site at the time and had a tea break at about 10am.

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The court heard that about 15 minutes later, Mr Mortimer got in his vehicle nearby and carried out tasks, including clearing rubble, in Smiths Bletchington’s limestone quarry, between Burford and Brize Norton.

Site foreman Mr Hole, wearing a high-visibility jacket and safety helmet, had walked to the far end of the site to pick up his lorry.

Mr Mortimer dialled 999 immediately and his friend was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital.

But he went into cardiac arrest and was later pronounced dead.

A post-mortem examination showed Mr Hole died of multiple injuries, with consultant pathologist Prof Ian Roberts adding he was probably crushed by the wheel.

In a statement read to the coroner, Mr Mortimer said: “I felt a bump, like I went over a large rock.

“I stopped and turned around in my seat, and could see Les lying on the ground.

“I can’t understand why Les was in the middle of the quarry walking around.”

Mr Mortimer then told the jury: “I’ve racked my brains many times, of course, but I don’t know why I couldn’t see him.”

He added that the sun had been low in the sky and bright, while he had been concentrating on moving the shovel at the front of his lorry as its automatic function was broken.

Simon Edwards, HM Inspector of Quarries, told the inquest that an investigation showed visibility would not have been obstructed and the sun should not have affected the colour of Mr Hole’s jacket.

But he said emergency services at the scene said the sun “had been an issue” that morning.

Smiths Bletchington health and safety manager Paul Hillier said the company had since provided a truck to transport workers between the site entrance and their vehicles in the quarry to stop them walking around.

A jury of six men and four women recorded a verdict of an accident.

Mr Hole, married to Sally, played cricket for Freeland and Shipton-under-Wychwood, and for North Leigh Football Club.

His son Simon Hole said at the time of his death: “He has never had a day off through illness in his life.

“It is just such a tragic accident.”

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