A COMPANY boss died when he was crushed by a container in a horrific incident at work.

Martin Channon, 54, from Raven Lane, Billericay, suffered fatal injuries when the container being carried by a forklift truck fell on top of him.

Emergency services rushed to the scene to reports a man’s legs were trapped underneath the container.

Sadly they could not save him and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Mr Channon’s sister, Kim Penson, 51, from Basildon, has paid tribute to her brother on behalf of their tight knit family.

She said: “He was a much-loved and fantastic husband, father, grandfather, son, uncle, cousin and brother.

“We are saddened and shocked at the loss of Martin. He was a friend to many and will be sadly missed.”

Mr Channon, had lived in Langdon Hills before marrying wife Cheryl and moving to Billericay 22 years ago.

His niece, Kelly Perryman, added: “The family are very shocked and distressed by this awful news.”

Mr Channon died after the incident at Modular Building Systems, at Straits Mill, Convent Lane, Braintree, last Wednesday.

Emergency crews rushed to the scene shortly after noon, but he was pronounced dead soon after.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “The driver of the forklift and the deceased were moving a container and it appears that during the course of this something has happened and the container has caused the injuries.

“We believe that the deceased was assisting the driver of the forklift. We understand they both worked for the same company.”

The driver of the forklift truck was uninjured.

Mr Channon has headed up Modular Building Systems since 2003.

The company provides new and pre-owned portable buildings, storage containers and anti-vandal cabins.

Police confirmed that responsibility for the case had been handed over to the coroner’s office and the Health and Safety Executive.

An inquest has been opened and adjourned.