HEALTH and safety inspectors and police are continuing the investigate the  death of a dockyard worker at Devonport yesterday.

Officers from Devon and Cornwall police are leading the enquiry into the  death of the 57-year-old civilian.

The man, who was from the Newton Abbot area, was killed when he was operating  a cherry picker on a laid up submarine.

A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall police said: “Just before 1pm on Monday,  October 21 officers were called to Devonport Dockyard following the report of an  industrial accident.

“As a result of the incident, a 57-year old male sadly died at the scene. His  next of kin has been informed.

“A joint investigation by Devon and Cornwall Police, the Health and Safety  Executive and MOD has commenced, and HM Coroner has been informed.”

It’s understood that the police will lead the investigation before fully  handing the case over to the HSE if they do not establish any grounds for  prosecution.

The HSE will then wait for the inquest to conclude before continuing an  independent investigation to establish if any health and safety laws have been  breached.

A spokesman for the Health and Safety Executive said: “We are looking into  the latest incident.

“Devon and Cornwall police are leading the investigation.

“We have had inspectors on the site but it’s very early days.”

The man, who has not been named, was a civian who worked for Babcock  Marine.

The dockyard operator released a statment shortly after news of the incident  broke.

It said: “Everyone at Babcock is saddened by this tragedy, and our thoughts  are very much with the family of the person who has lost his  life.”