Investigations are continuing into the death of a Corus steelworker after an accident at the company's Trostre plant in Llanelli on Saturday.

Frances Eric Coles, 42, of Llanelli, was working on the plant's night shift when he was fatally injured shortly before 0100 GMT.

When something like this happens, it is so tragic it is almost beyond words Simon Jenkins, Corus

Mr Coles, who was married and a father, was working on the plant's cold reduction mill when the accident happened.

Dyfed Powys Police and the Health and Safety Executive have launched a joint investigation into the accident.

And a spokesman for Corus said the company would be carrying out its own investigation.

Maintenance engineer Mr Coles was taken to Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli where he later died from his injuries.

Industrial accident

A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesman said: "There was a serious industrial accident at the plant and the man died later at the Prince Philip Hospital in the town.

"His family have been informed and are obviously very distressed.

"We are investigating the circumstances of the death and the coroner has been informed."

Corus spokesman Simon Jenkins said: "Our thoughts and sympathies are with the family involved.

'Tragic'

"The works here have an excellent safety record and when something like this happens, it is so tragic it is almost beyond words."

The worker killed was a member of the Iron and Steel Trades Confederation (ISTC) union.

Michael Leahy, general secretary of the ISTC, said: "I am shocked and saddened to learn that one of our members has been killed at the Corus Trostre plant.

"The ISTC will play a full part in the investigation to find out the cause of his death.

"My thoughts and condolences go out to his family and friends.

Corus spokesman Simon Jenkins expressed his sympathy

"The union will provide all the support that we can to them during their hour of need."

Llanelli Assembly Member, Helen Mary Jones, added: "Everybody is just stunned and devastated.

"I've been able to talk to management - it's too soon to say how this accident happened, but they have promised that investigations will be thorough."

The accident follows the disaster at the nearby Corus plant in Port Talbot in November 2001, when three men were killed and another 12 injured in an explosion.

The number five furnace involved in the explosion reopened on Thursday following a �75m reconstruction.