THE family of a Rishton man crushed to death in a factory accident have paid tribute to a devoted husband and father.
Allan Sanderson, 50, of Petre Crescent, was fatally injured at Brookhouse Patterns, India Mill, Darwen, last Tuesday when he was trapped underneath heavy industrial machinery which is believed to have been used to shift metal girders.
He died from chest injuries in the Royal Blackburn Hospital on Thursday morning.
His family said in a statement: "Allan was always happy and cheerful. It was a pleasure to know him. He will be sadly missed."
He leaves his wife of 29 years Lorraine, son Ian and daughter Carly, granddaughter Kaitlyn and many friends.
The family said that Mr Sanderson was a "Rishtoner born and bred".
He attended Rishton Methodist Primary School followed by Norden High School.
They described him as "a very hands-on man" who went on to become a patternmaker, serving his apprenticeship at Allspeeds, Clayton-le-Moors, and studying at Manchester Polytechnic.
The statement added: "For Allan his skills weren’t just for work.
"They were a gift which he could call upon for improving his family’s home, making toys for his children and helping out his family and many friends.
"He also enjoyed the great outdoors – walking the dog and wandering the riverbank for that elusive salmon.
"He will also be sadly missed in Rishton locals on his Friday night jaunts sampling their finest."
A second man, from Blackburn, was also injured in the accident and is said to be in a stable condition.
The men were thought to be manually moving equipment, including metal girders, when machinery fell onto them.
When emergency services arrived at the scene, one man had already been freed by workers but firefighters had to use specialist equipment to free the second man.
Police are conducting an investigation in partnership with the Health and Safety Executive.
