Matt Leclere and Sam Lennon

kentishexpress@thekmgroup.co.uk

Tributes have been paid to a Folkestone grandfather and waste depot worker who was killed by a dustcart.

It is believed 60-year-old John Head was run over when a refuse lorry reversed into him at the Veolia depot in Ross Way, near Military Road, in Shorncliffe, on Friday.

Ambulance crews and two fire engines from Canterbury were called to the scene at 10.50am.

But despite their best efforts to resuscitate Mr Head, they could not save him and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Members of Mr Head's family have now taken to social media websites to pay tribute to him and flowers have been left near the scene.

Beckii Head posted, saying: "R.I.P Dad I love you!"

Paige Harding wrote on her Facebook page: "Rest in peace to our Grandad Head. What horrible news! Thoughts are with the rest of my family."

Nicole Harding tweeted: "Rest in peace Grandad Head, always in our hearts."

And Emily Smith said: "Thank you to all the responders that tried their best. RIP to my uncle!"

An investigation has been launched into the cause of death and will be conducted by Kent Police and the Health and Safety Executive.

A Kent Police spokesman confirmed officers had already interviewed several witnesses, including the lorry driver.

The depot is run by waste management company Veolia Environmental Services and is part of the complex which also includes the household waste facility.

A Veolia spokesman said: "A tragic fatal traffic collision took place on-site at our Ross Depot in Folkestone involving one of our municipal refuse collection vehicles and one of our employees.

"We would like to express our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of our employee.

"As a company we treat health and safety as the highest operational priority.

"We are working closely with all the relevant authorities to investigate this tragic incident."

A Shepway District Council spokesman said: "We are sorry to learn that there has been a fatality at Ross Depot and we offer our sincere condolences to the family, friends and work colleagues of the deceased.

"The council shares the depot with our recycling and waste contractor Veolia, and with them, will support any investigation into the cause of death."

A post-mortem examination has not been conducted yet and police could not confirm when it was due to take place.