A Hampshire man who had a passion for truck driving died after getting trapped under the tail lift of his lorry, an inquest has heard.

Rodney Tiller, of Culver Road, Basingstoke, died on September 13, 2020 at The Dell Cottage in Shedfield.

The jury inquest, which is expected to last for five days, started at Winchester Coroners' Court on Monday, September 18.

Mr Tiller, who had been a truck driver for more than 20 years, was working for haulage company Chappells of Stubbington when he died.

The inquest heard that Mr Tiller, 52, was about to use a specialist trailer to transport staging equipment to Switzerland. 

On the day he died, Mr Tiller was trying to rearrange some of the goods inside after he saw something leaning against the side. When he opened the trailer, the door fell onto him.

READ MORE: What happens at an inquest and what can the press report?

When the inquest was opened, the causes of his death were given as chest and neck injuries. 

Basingstoke Gazette:

Assistant coroner Rachel Spearing told the inquest that Mr Tiller had taken his cab to collect the trailer from Cars Motorsport Limited in Suffolk.

He then drove to Guildford to collect the load from Bonhams Auctions, before heading back to Shedfield. He was due to leave for Switzerland on the day he died.

Mrs Spearing read a statement from Mr Tiller's family. It said: “He lived for his work. He worked as a tyre fitter before becoming a truck driver, which he loved. He knew every route and road you can imagine, never using maps or a sat-nav.

“No job was ever too much, no ask was ever an inconvenience. He was a kind, caring and generous person. When he died, we were reminded of how many people cared for him and loved him. His passion was truck driving.”

Mark Harris, Chappells of Stubbington director, told the inquest he employed Mr Tiller from December 2017.

Mr Harris said: “He was experienced as a truck driver, running wide loads all over the country.”

Mr Harris said he was informed of a job that required a specialist trailer and that Mr Tiller went to collect it on September 9.

He said: “Rodney was one of the decent people in life, he is sorely missed. He was a great character.”

Christopher Dale, transport manager at Cars Motorsport Limited, said that the trailer had completed all safety checks. Mr Dale said: “I had no concerns about the trailer's safety. Rodney came across as a very experienced and capable person.”

The inquest continues. and is expected to last five days.