Tributes have been paid to a grandfather who died after getting trapped in a machine just one month into his job at a recycling plant.
Norman Butler, 60, was working at Recycle Cymru on an industrial estate in Rhyl when he was found by a colleague in a bailing machine on November 30.
Today, the 60-year-old’s devastated children, Tim, Jessica and Nigel, remembered their ‘hero’ and the ‘rock of the family’ from Prestatyn, who ‘adored’ them and his six grandchildren.
In a statement, Mr Butler’s children said: ‘Our dad was the most loving and caring man who would do anything to help anyone, especially his family.
Norman Butler, 60, was working at Recycle Cymru on an industrial estate in Rhyl when he was found by a colleague in a bailing machine on November 30
The 60-year-old’s devastated children, Tim, Jessica and Nigel, remembered their ‘hero’ and the ‘rock of the family’ from Prestatyn, who ‘adored’ them and his six grandchildren
‘His life revolved around his children and grandchildren and he did everything he could with them.
‘He was a family man like no other and gave his all for us, no matter what time of night or day.
‘He was really well liked, no one had a bad word to say about him.’
They added: ‘Dad had an interest in tennis and was such a hard worker. He had only been working as a van driver/bailing operative at Recycle Cymru for a month when he died.
‘Had we known the last time we saw him would be the last time, we would have hugged him tighter and told him how much we love him.
‘Our minds know that he’s gone but our hearts will never accept it, we miss him so much.
‘While everyone else has their family around at Christmas please appreciate and make memories with them.’
A crowdfunding page has been set up for Mr Butler by his children to give him the ‘best send off,’ and already, more than £400 has been raised.
It says: ‘Our dad died on November 30 and we want to give him the best send off he deserves.
‘He was such a good man, a great dad and grandad. He was the rock of this family until the day he got taken away.
Recycle Cymru’s site on Tir Llwyd industrial estate in Kinmel Bay where Norman Butler was killed
‘He went to work and didn’t come home, he died in a machine at work fighting until the very end.
‘We miss and love you so much Dad, forever in our hearts.’
Emergency crews were called to Tir Llywyd Industrial Estate shortly after 7.30pm on the night but Mr Butler was pronounced dead at the scene.
At the opening of his inquest in Ruthin on Tuesday, coroner John Gittins said a pathologist had given the provisional cause of death as massive blood loss due to amputation of his left foot.
The Health and Safety Executive is investigating.
Speaking at the time of the incident, Stephen Jones, who runs the plant, said: ‘I just want to say how devastated I am about the incident.
‘We are fully cooperating with the authorities and our thoughts go out to the family at this sad time.’
Mr Butler’s funeral will be held at Christ Church, Mostyn on December 20 at 10am.
As well as his three children, he also leaves behind grandchildren, Ella, Jake, Carly, Summer, Tyler and Poppy.