Bin worker's funeral prompts earlier collections

Rubbish collections across north Herefordshire are to take place earlier than usual to allow crews to attend the funeral of a worker who died in a bin lorry crash.

Andzie "Stan" Stanik, 62, was a passenger in the lorry when it crashed through a building off Mill Street, Leominster, on 11 November.

A church service is to be held at Leominster Priory at 13:00 GMT, before a burial takes place at Leominster Cemetery.

"Collections across North Herefordshire will take place earlier than normal to allow crews to attend the funeral of one of our crew members," a spokesperson for Herefordshire Council said.

"Unfortunately, we may not finish all of the collections on this day but we are planning to return to collect on Saturday 13 December."

A spokesperson for West Mercia Police said an investigation into the crash was still ongoing.

Paying tribute in the hours after Mr Stanik's death, his family said: "He enjoyed nothing more than a pint of Guinness at the pub in the village, long rambles with his beloved terrier Bella, cheering on Hereford FC at the weekend, and spending time with his children, Tilly, Alfie and Charlie.

"None of us imagined that our most recent goodbye would be our final one - and that the simple, mundane moments we shared would suddenly become the ones we treasure the most.

"It feels surreal to wake up on an ordinary Tuesday and have someone taken from your life so suddenly and cruelly, and as a family we are struggling to comprehend what has happened."

Paul Walker, chief executive of Herefordshire Council, added: "On behalf of Herefordshire Council, I would like to express our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and all those affected by the sad loss of Andzie.

"Herefordshire is a close-knit county and we recognise the profound impact his loss has had on the local community, including his many colleagues at FCC Environment, and within the council.

"We are deeply saddened and also grateful for the invaluable service he gave to local people day in, day out for so many years."

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