AN INVESTIGATION is underway after an Ebbw Vale man died at an oil refinery in Hampshire.

Anthony McGowan, 57, of Ebbw Vale, died at Southampton General Hospital on Thursday after suffering injuries in an incident at Fawley Refinery in the New Forest.

It is understood Mr McGowan, who is believed to have been a rigger employed by a contractor, became trapped beneath pipes at the site.

A Hampshire Constabulary spokeswoman said they were working with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to establish the exact circumstances of Mr McGowan’s death.

In a statement the refinery owners, Exxon Mobil, said: “An investigation has been launched which will run in parallel with the HSE’s and the police’s own investigations.

“Our key priority continues to be the safety and wellbeing of our people and the safe operation of the site. Consequently, non-essential work in the area of Fawley, where the incident happened, has been suspended until further notice.

“Everyone at Fawley is deeply saddened by the death and our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time.”

Emergency crews were called to the site at around 10am on Thursday following reports a contractor was trapped under pipes at the plant. The man had been released by the time crews arrived and was taken to hospital where he later died.

The refinery has a mile-long marine terminal which handles around 2,000 ship movements and 22 million tonnes of crude oil and other products every year. The refinery processes around 330,000 barrels of crude oil a day.

Rector of Ebbw Vale Geoff Waggett said : “As a representative of the churches in Ebbw Vale, we extend our sympathies to Anthony’s family and will uphold them in our prayers.”

Ebbw Vale North councillor John Rogers described the loss as an “absolute tragedy”, adding: “It is horrible when these things happen and my sympathies go to the family.”