A mechanic died after his head was crushed between the wheel and body of a lorry, an inquest in Oxford heard.

Stephen Galloway, 40, of Pebble Hill Caravan Park in Radley, near Abingdon, died at Tuckwell and Sons' yard in Thrupp Lane, Radley, on February 23.

The inquest heard that Mr Galloway became trapped when the three-ton trailer of a recovery lorry was being lowered on to the chassis with a crane.

Dr David Davies, a consultant pathologist at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, said Mr Galloway died from a fractured skull, probably caused by compression.

Fellow employee Thomas Merry, told the court he lowered the lorry's body by a fork-lift truck on to the chassis.

He said: "I let it down by about six inches, then stopped and walked round to the other side to check everything was okay.

He added: "It was clear, so I walked back round to lower it down another four inches."

When he got out again he noticed Mr Galloway's head was under the wheel and realised he was trapped. After failing to pull him out, he ran to the truck to release him by raising the lorry.

Attempts to resuscitate him by Stuart Quartermaine, a trained first-aider, and paramedics failed.

The inquest jury returned a verdict of accidental death.

Health and Safety Executive inspector Sally Walker said she was satisfied with working procedure but added the firm had failed to fill in a written risk assessment.