An off-duty special constable has been crushed to death between a lorry and a forklift truck.

Kevin Smith, from Tiptree in Essex, died at the scene of the accident on a farm near Colchester.

The 48-year-old had been a special constable since 1996, and was based at Hadleigh in Suffolk.

The commandant of Suffolk Special Constabulary, Mark Ashburn, praised Mr Smith as "a valued member of the team in Hadleigh, well-thought of by both regular and special constabulary colleagues".

Ambulance called

He offered his "deepest sympathy" to Mr Smith's family.

Mr Smith worked for Anglia Grain Services in Nayland, and it is thought he was making a delivery to Mulley's Farm near Colchester when he became trapped on Wednesday.

An ambulance was called, but Mr Smith died at the scene.

The Health and Safety Executive has now opened an investigation into the death, which could take several months to complete.