Two men crushed by falling glass panel while unloading lorry at Hitchin Town FC car park

Two men were killed and a third was injured on Saturday after a large glass panel fell from a shipping container and trapped them while they were unloading a lorry in the overflow car park of Hitchin Town Football Club, Hertfordshire Police and Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue Service said.

Emergency crews were called to the Fishponds Road ground at about 2 p.m. on Sept. 6 after reports that people had been trapped. Despite efforts by fire, ambulance and critical care paramedics, two men were pronounced dead at the scene and a third sustained minor injuries and was treated locally, authorities said. Police have informed the next of kin and are supporting the families.

Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue described the panel as a large glass sheet that had fallen from the container lorry, trapping the two men beneath it. The fire service said it is liaising with other agencies as part of an ongoing investigation. Hertfordshire Police said enquiries were continuing to establish the precise circumstances of the incident.

The lorry, a white Volvo operated by Kent-based Martello Transport, remained at the scene four days after the accident with a police cordon in place. Martello’s director, Ivan Smith, said the vehicle had transported a sealed shipping container from Southampton to the football ground and that the driver, identified only as Antonio, had remained in the cab while others unloaded. Smith said the driver was not involved in the unloading and was unaware of the accident until someone knocked on his cab.

Hitchin Town Football Club said it had "very little" information about the incident and offered its "deepest sympathy and sincere condolences" to the families affected. Club officials said they had no role in arranging or carrying out the unloading that preceded the accident.

Police said the men who died were "helping someone out" and were not employed by the club. Witnesses in the surrounding area described chaotic scenes as emergency services arrived. Piles of boxes and metal frames were visible on the grass beside the pitch as officers continued to secure the scene.

The Health and Safety Executive told the Daily Mail that responsibility for enforcement at the premises lies with North Hertfordshire District Council and that it would not be leading the investigation. The council will begin its own inquiries once police have concluded their immediate work at the site, the HSE said.

East of England Ambulance Service said it sent two ambulances, a rapid response vehicle, an ambulance officer vehicle, a critical care paramedic car and a community first responder to the scene on Saturday.

Hitchin Town, one of England’s oldest clubs with roots dating to 1865, had been due to host St Albans City in the FA Cup Second Qualifying Round this weekend. The club said the match was scheduled to go ahead as planned and that a large attendance was expected.

Residents and users of the market town expressed shock at the deaths, posting condolences on social media and describing the loss as devastating for the families and the community. Police urged anyone with information or relevant footage to contact Hertfordshire Police as enquiries continue.