A crane operator made a grim discovery while working at a waste recycling facility in the North East of England, finding a man's body amongst the material he was moving.
Discovery halts operations at waste site
The incident occurred at the Haverton Hill recycling centre in Billingham, County Durham, which is operated by the environmental services company Suez. The operator made the shocking find during a routine shift, immediately prompting an emergency response.
Police were called to the scene and a full investigation was launched. Operations at the entire facility were suspended to allow officers to conduct their enquiries and secure the area. The man was later formally identified as Nicholas Milburn.
Police investigation underway
Authorities are now working to establish the full circumstances surrounding the death. This includes investigating how Mr Milburn came to be at the waste site and the events leading up to the tragic discovery on 14 January 2026.
The case is likely to be referred to a coroner, who will open an inquest to determine the cause of death. The police have not released further details at this early stage, treating the site as an active investigation scene.
Impact and ongoing developments
The suspension of operations at the Suez facility highlights the serious nature of the incident. Recycling centres are critical infrastructure for waste management, and such a halt disrupts local services.
Workers at the site are being offered support following the traumatic discovery. The focus remains on the police investigation as they piece together the timeline of events that led to this tragic outcome at the Billingham recycling plant.
