Gadzin Han: worker killed by falling garbage truck door
A 51-year-old worker from Nis died when the door of a garbage truck fell on him at a company in Gadzin Han. Labour inspectors and prosecutors are investigating.
- A worker aged 51, from Nis, died at a company in Gadzin Han.
- According to early accounts, the door of a garbage collection truck fell on him.
- Police were alerted at around 2.30 p.m. on June 15.
- Police and labour inspectors are examining the scene, and the competent prosecutor has been notified.
A 51-year-old worker from Nis died on June 15 at a company in Gadzin Han. According to early, still unofficial accounts, the door of a garbage collection truck fell on him while he was carrying out routine duties.
The accident was reported to police at around 2.30 p.m. Medical help was called immediately, and the injured worker was taken toward the University Clinical Centre in Nis. He died on the way to hospital. Authorities have not yet officially confirmed his identity, which is standard practice until family members are informed.
Gadzin Han is a small municipality southeast of Nis, and the man lived in Nis, the largest city in that part of Serbia. The accident occurred at a workplace, on the premises of a business, while a municipal vehicle was in use.
What is known about the accident itself?
According to early information, the death occurred when the rear door of the truck, part of the mechanism used to collect and compact waste, fell on the worker. The exact sequence of events and the reason the mechanism gave way have not been established. Those circumstances are the subject of the on-site investigation.
Waste collection vehicles have heavy rear hatches and hydraulic systems that open and close under pressure. A malfunction, a slipped safety catch, or work without the required guards can lead to serious injury. Whether a technical fault or a safety lapse was involved here will be determined by expert examination.
As of the time of writing, no detailed official statement with specifics had been issued by the relevant institutions. Everything stated here reflects the first accounts from the scene, which still need to be confirmed by official findings.
Who establishes responsibility?
Police carried out the on-site investigation, and labour inspectors have joined the process. The competent prosecutor’s office has been notified and is conducting a preliminary inquiry, directing the gathering of evidence.
Labour inspectors are checking whether occupational health and safety measures were observed: whether the vehicle had working safety catches, whether the worker was trained and equipped for the task, and whether the employer met its legal obligations. Based on those findings and expert analysis, the prosecutor’s office decides whether there are grounds for criminal liability.
It should be stressed that at this stage no one’s guilt has been established. A preliminary inquiry serves to clarify how the accident happened, and any responsibility is determined only later, through court proceedings and a final ruling.
Fatal workplace accidents remain one of the quiet but persistent issues in Serbia. Behind every case stands a family and the question of whether something could have been prevented. In your view, how well do workplace safety checks actually function where dangerous work is carried out?
