A man has been killed in a tragic workplace accident after a pile of waste up to eight metres (26ft) high fell on him.

Industrial cleaner Neville Watson suffocated in the tragedy at Blaise Farm Quarry, in Kings Hill.

The 39-year-old had been working at the plant, which processes green and food waste into compost, since January.

An inquest into his death has opened and a health and safety investigation launched.

Darren Stockley, managing director of New Earth Solutions which operates the site, paid tribute to Mr Watson, who lived in Lakeside, Snodland.

He said: "Neville was a popular member of our site team at Blaise. We are all deeply shocked and saddened by his death.

"Colleagues have visited his family and given our condolences and sympathy.

"Neville was a popular member of our site team at Blaise. We are all deeply shocked and saddened by his death..." - Darren Stockley

"In addition to paying tribute to Neville, who will be greatly missed, I wish to thank all those who assisted him after the accident, including the emergency services.

"We also are grateful for the messages of condolence we have received from others, which are being passed on to the family."

Paramedics from the South East Coast Ambulance Service attended the scene but, despite performing CPR, pronounced him dead at the scene.

A post-mortem examination conducted three days later found Mr Watson died of asphyxiation.

No one else was injured in the accident, during the morning on Saturday, August 9.

A full inquest cannot take place until the Health and Safety Executive produces a report on what happened.

A pre-inquest review will take place at the Archbishop's Palace in Maidstone on Thursday, October 30.

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