The incident occurred on Friday morning (17 February) at Precision North’s Sunderland factory. Young was taken to Newcastle Royal Victoria Infirmary following the accident, but died of his injuries.

In a statement Precision Printing chief executive Gary Peeling said Young had been a much-loved member of the team: “A fatal accident took place on Friday morning at the Sunderland facility involving a forklift truck, no other member of staff was involved, Martyn Young sadly died as a result of his injuries despite the rapid actions of colleagues and the emergency services.”

Young was 37. He founded First2Print in 2009, and the business was acquired by Precision Printing in 2014. 

Peeling added: “Our immediate focus is to provide what support we can to his family, friends and colleagues and to look after the welfare of the team at the Sunderland facility.”

The police were on site on Friday, and the Health & Safety Executive confirmed that it is now assisting the police with their enquiries.