TRIBUTES have been paid to a bin man and part-time fire fighter who has died in an incident involving a bin lorry in Limavady.
John Winton (51) died after being struck by the vehicle he was working on at around 7.30am today in Mount Eden in the Co Derry town.
Mr Winton was a part-time fire fighter based in Limavady and colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) attended the scene of the tragedy this morning.
Chief Fire and Rescue Officer Gary Thompson said the fire service community had been "devastated" by his death.
Mr Winton would have celebrated his two-year anniversary with the service on November 19, he said.
“On behalf of NIFRS I extend our sincere sympathies and condolences to John’s family, his mother Margaret and his children Lisa and Gavin, at this difficult time."
Mr Thompson said Mr Winton was "a dedicated fire fighter" who served his home town "with distinction" and who was "extremely popular amongst his colleagues".
"His death will be felt across the entire service and the NIFRS family," he added.
“John’s colleagues from Limavady Fire Station and neighbouring Stations of Dungiven and Crescent Link attended the incident this morning which happened on Mount Eden, Limavady at 7.36am.
“NIFRS is offering support to John’s family and his colleagues at this difficult time.”
PSNI Inspector Siobhan Watt said Mr Winton had died "as a result of injuries he sustained in a collision with the refuse collection vehicle he was working on".
