Runaway forklift almost kills toddler

News Story
- 9 Dec 2004 ( #187 ) - COBRIDGE, United Kingdom
1 min read
A three-year-old boy's rocking horse saved his life after a faulty forklift smashed through his home's garden wall, burying him in rubble.

According to The Sentinel newspaper, Mitchell Shaw was playing in his garden in Cobridge in the UK when the accident happened in July last year.

A court heard that an apprentice bricklayer from a construction site lost control of a JCB 926 forklift and crashed into the wall.

The court heard the driver had no training, the forklift had faulty brakes and steering, and the building contractor, Friog Management Services, had no adequate health and safety plan in place.

Mitchell spent 48 hours receiving treatment for cuts and bruises at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire after the accident.

The boy's mother, Julie Shaw, said Mitchell's life was saved by a rocking horse, which shielded him from the rubble and protected his skull from being crushed.

"Mitchell has made a full recovery ... but after the accident he had a lot of trouble going to sleep and became really paranoid about hospitals and doctors," she said.

Friog director Robert Dixon admitted to three breaches of the UK's Health & Safety at Work Act.

He pleaded guilty to failing to keep the forklift in good repair, failing to ensure staff were trained to use it, and failing to ensure the safety of people not in his employ. He was committed to be sentenced by the Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on January 17.
Briefs
Briefs 3 Jul 2025 - 1 min read
AITT issues reminder on need for certified training
AITT issues reminder on need for certified training 26 Jun 2025 - Hugglescote, United Kingdom - 1 min read
Do you have materials handling news? Submit your news here

We’re excited to launch a major upgrade to the Forkliftaction forums, packed with new features and improvements. Here’s what’s new:

  • You can now add up to two photos to your posts
  • New search & navigation - find what you need easier
  • Smart brand/model tagging across all forums
  • Top contributors recognised for their efforts!

 Head over to the forums to check it out!

Words of support …

Undoubtedly, peer experience plays a crucially important role in our industry and it is extremely valuable for us to be part of the platform, where industry professionals, as well as end users can discuss and learn more about the materials handling world.

Alexandra Artemova, Marketing Specialist

Are you recruiting? Find your ideal candidate among a diverse range of materials handling professionals:

Forkliftaction's JOB MARKET

We’re excited to launch a major upgrade to the Forkliftaction forums, packed with new features and improvements. Here’s what’s new:

  • You can now add up to two photos to your posts
  • New search & navigation - find what you need easier
  • Smart brand/model tagging across all forums
  • Top contributors recognised for their efforts!

 Head over to the forums to check it out!

PREMIUM business

Shenzhen Wellwit Robotics Co., Ltd
The Largest AMR/AGV ODM/OEM Manufacturer in China.

Are you recruiting? Find your ideal candidate among a diverse range of materials handling professionals:

Forkliftaction's JOB MARKET

Inside The News
While innovation and new technology are evolving at what seems to be an ever-increasing pace, the need to capture the data (telemetry) from this tech, and the ability to utilise it (telematics) for efficiency and cost savings, is one area attracting more and more attention ... Continue reading

Showcased in the Virtual Expo

Are you recruiting? Find your ideal candidate among a diverse range of materials handling professionals:

Forkliftaction's JOB MARKET

Even the heaviest lifts must be easy to handle. That’s why N.C. Nielsen raises the bar in lifting capacity, maneuverability, operator comfort, flexibility and technical capabilities.
Heavy duty reach stackers – lifting capacity from 85 to 180 tons.
VIEW ALL OUR CUSTOM-BUILT HEAVY DUTY REACH STACKERS

Contact us now: +45 99 83 83 83 - www.nc-nielsen.com