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

Two men died and a third was treated for minor injuries after a large glass panel fell from a container lorry while it was being unloaded in the overflow car park at Hitchin Town Football Club on Saturday, Hertfordshire police and fire crews said.

Emergency services were called to the Fishponds Road ground at about 2 p.m. on 6 September after reports that people were trapped. Despite the immediate efforts of police, ambulance crews and critical care paramedics both men were pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said. A third man sustained minor injuries and was treated at the scene.

Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue said a large glass panel had fallen from a container lorry and trapped the two male workers beneath it. The service said it is liaising with the Health and Safety Executive as part of the ongoing response. Hertfordshire Police said the victims were "helping someone out" and were not employed by the lorry operator.

A white Volvo lorry owned by Kent-based Martello Transport remained at the scene in the days after the incident. Martello told local media its driver had delivered a sealed shipping container to the club after collecting it from Southampton but was not involved in unloading; the company said the driver was sitting in the cab and only became aware of the accident when a worker knocked on his door.

Hitchin Town Football Club said it "knows very little about the accident" and that police had taken control of the incident. The club expressed "deepest sympathy and sincere condolences" to the families of those who died. The club's FA Cup Second Qualifying Round fixture against St Albans City was scheduled to go ahead as planned and the club said it was expecting a large attendance.

Detectives and safety officials maintained a police cordon on the club's grounds while inquiries continued. Piles of unloaded boxes and metal frames were visible on the grass near the vehicle. North Hertfordshire District Council, which enforces health and safety on the premises, said it will begin its investigation once police have completed their work; the HSE indicated it would not lead the probe because the site is enforced by the local authority.

Witnesses described chaotic scenes as emergency services arrived. Local residents and people connected to the club expressed shock and condolences on social media and at nearby businesses. Martello’s director said the company offered its "sincere condolences" and reiterated that the driver was not involved in the unloading; he said the firm often receives sealed containers and may not know their contents.

Police confirmed that the next of kin of the two men have been informed and are being supported by officers. Enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances of the unloading, who employed the men involved and the sequence of events that led to the panel becoming dislodged.

Hitchin Town, founded in the 19th century and one of the oldest clubs in English football, is at the centre of the small market town community. Local officials and club representatives said they would work with investigators and support those affected as the formal inquiries continue.