A construction worker has died after plummeting into a dough proving machine at a bread factory while a colleague is fighting serious injuries in Oxford's hospital. 

The emergency incident at a Lantmännen Unibake factory in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, ended in tragedy with the death of a 61-year-old man on Monday (October 9).

Two construction workers were working inside the factory around lunchtime when the tragedy struck.

Both men were critically injured and police have confirmed that one of them, aged 61, has died.

His colleague, also in his 60s, is receiving treatment for serious injuries at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Headington.

In a statement, the company said the specialist contractors were undertaking a planned refurbishment of a baking line prover inside the bakery when they reportedly fell into the machine.

Efforts were made to help them before road ambulances, the air ambulance, police and fire engines arrived.

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Wendy Smith, managing director at Lantmännen Unibake, said: “We are deeply shocked and saddened by this terrible accident, and our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with those affected and their families. 

"We are offering support to all employees across the business affected by this.

“We are working closely with all parties including the Thames Valley Police and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).”

The Health and Safety Executive is this week investigating what went wrong and whether the accident could have been prevented.