More details were revealed on Wednesday about the tragic workplace incident that killed a 51-year-old Port Macquarie father on Tuesday afternoon.
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Police said the man, whose name has not been revealed, was standing in front of a raised wooden pallet and Cat C13 engine at 1.58pm. The engine was bolted to a metal cradle which sat on top of the pallet.
Both objects were lowered using a forklift to a height of about one metre from the ground, and were being inspected by the deceased and his colleague.
The engine then fell forward and crushed the man's head and body between it and another engine stored at ground level behind him. The man's colleague was not injured.
Police said the falling engine weighed about 1.4 tonnes and appeared to kill the man instantly. He was found crushed between the two engines and, despite the efforts of other employees and emergency services, he was unable to be saved.
After police forensics and WorkCover NSW inspectors examined the scene a crane was used to lift the engine off the man, and the State Emergency Service recovered his body. It was then taken to Port Macquarie Base Hospital.
Police said there were no suspicious circumstances.
Expressway Spares employed the man for more than 13 years, and their managing director, Patrick Cassegrain, acknowledged the tragedy in a statement on Wednesday morning.
"A family has lost a husband and father and Expressway Spares has lost a long standing and valued employee. Staff have lost a close friend," Mr Cassegrain said.
