AN inquest is due to be opened into the death of an Eastern European seaman who was crushed to death by a huge industrial door in the hold of a cargo ship off Teignmouth last Thursday. The body of the man in his 20s was removed from the Antigua-registered coaster Neermoor at Teignmouth dock after hours of investigation by scenes of crime experts. A specialist heavy lifting crane had to be brought in to lift the 14-tonne door from the body. The 3,000-tonne coaster alerted the coastguard to the accident at 6am on Thursday morning. Police and paramedics were taken by pilot boat to the vessel that was anchored about a mile offshore. It had arrived light from Southampton and had been waiting to enter the port to load a cargo of ball clay. It was yet to leave the port at the time of going to press on Wednesday. Police conducted interviews with the six-strong crew with the aid of an interpreter. The vessel was sealed off for full investigation by police and marine accident investigators. There are not thought to be any suspicious circumstances. Another crew member was treated for shock after narrowly missing the falling 14-tonne bulkhead door.
