Gosport company under investigation after 'beautiful' woman killed by lorry is 'deeply saddened'

Police and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have launched an investigation after a 44-year-old woman died at Huhtamaki in Rowner Road on Monday (October 12) around 8.15am, as reported. No one has been arrested.

Tributes have been paid to the woman, who was confirmed by Huhtamaki to have been an employee.

Andy Hesp, vice president of Huhtamaki Foodservice UK & Ireland, said: “We are deeply saddened by the death of our colleague following the incident at our Gosport site.

“Our thoughts are first and foremost with her family and loved ones, as well as her colleagues at the site. Our immediate priority is supporting everyone affected through this very difficult time.

“The incident is under investigation, and we are cooperating fully with the relevant authorities. Out of respect for our colleague and her family, and while the investigation is ongoing, we will not comment further on the circumstances of the incident.”

People who knew the unnamed worker have also paid tribute to her. One person posted on social media: “I still can’t believe that the time has come to say goodbye to you.

“You were part of my childhood, part of my beautiful memories, part of a time in my life that I will always hold close to my heart. It’s so hard to accept that you’re no longer here with us, and that all we have left are memories and longing.”

A fellow worker wrote: “Sure is a sad and heart-breaking day for everyone at Huhtamaki. We have lost a beautiful, kind-hearted lady who was loved by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing her. You brought so much warmth, kindness and happiness to those around you.

“I still can't believe I will never see your lovely face again. You will be deeply missed, but never forgotten. Huhtamaki's heart is truly broken.”

Another colleague said: “So sad to hear this news. I had the pleasure of meeting you at work and talking to you. Thinking of your family and friends. Rest in peace.”

Another person added: “Huhtamaki staff are like a family. She was one of them. So sad what has happened. Thinking of her family and staff that got to know her.”

Despite the tragic incident, people who lived and worked close by said they had only heard about what happened online via The News.

One local said: “You have lots of lorries coming in and out but there’s never been any accidents there we know of. There’s lots of crashes on the road. You would have thought someone would have heard something.”

Staff at Brune Medical Centre, located next to Huhtamaki, said they did not hear or see any commotion. “We didn’t hear anything about it at the surgery. I only heard about it on The News. We get called to incidents on the road sometimes but never there (at Huhtamaki),” the person said.

Another resident added: “It’s very sad and unexpected. It must be horrible for the family. Unfortunately these things happen.”

A HSE spokesperson previously said: “We have begun an investigation into this incident and are working jointly with Hampshire police who are currently still in primacy.”

A police spokesperson said on Tuesday: “We were contacted at 8:15am on Monday (12 October) by our colleagues at South Central Ambulance Service reporting a pedestrian had been involved in an incident with a lorry at an industrial premise on Rowner Road, Gosport.

“The pedestrian, a 44-year-old woman from Gosport, died at the scene of the incident. Her next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

“Enquiries into the incident are ongoing, and the Health and Safety Executive has been notified.”