THE family of a Thurrock man who died in an incident at the Port of Tilbury last year are almost halfway towards their target after launching an online petition to the government for a review of the rules surrounding accidents at work and subsequent investigations.

They have acted in the wake of a trail of delays and interdepartmental bureaucracy and say they are desperate to get legal help to bring matters to a conclusion - but cannot.

Twenty-year-old Robbie-Owen Reeves was working at the port as a rigger when the incident occurred on Tuesday, 21 January last year when he was caught between two trailers while he was working.

Emergency services, including an air ambulance, rushed to the port but were unable to save him.

Sixteen months later his family are no nearer to knowing exactly what happened as Robbi-Owen's death has become enmeshed in a web of bureaucracy and delays between various departments including the coroner's office, Health and Safety Executive and the police.

When an initial inquest opening into the death happened soon after it happened, the Essex coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray set a date for the full inquest on 1 December last year and said that she would require a jury to be a part of the four-day inquest.

She also said that she would need to see a copy of the health and safety report from the port.

The inquest has still not happened and no date seems imminent.

A spokesperson for the coroner's office said: "The full inquest has not yet been heard as it has been suspended for and ongoing police investigation."

But Essex police have been barely able to shed any further light on the situation. A spokesperson for the force told Nub News: "The officer who was initially leading our investigation into the incident has spoken to the coroner's office and they've confirmed the coroner has suspended the inquest pending the outcome of the Health and Safety Executive investigation.

"Apparently they've asked for an update from the Executive by August."

So the case appears to be in limbo – much to the anger and distress of Robbie-Owen's family.

His sister Dannii has launched the petition on the government's change.org portal. It can be accessed via this link.

She says: "My brother was just aged 20 years old when tragically, he died whilst at work. You do not expect to lose your life while earning a living.

"It is the responsibility of Robbie's employer to ensure all safety procedures are in place and followed to ensure the safety of all employees.

"As a family we want justice and for the employer to take responsibility for what has happened to my brother, however, this is where there needs to be a change to ensure no other families have to endure the pain we have had to live with every day.

"We have sought help from a number of solicitors who have advised us that they would not take the case on for the following reasons:

1. Robbie's age.
2. He was not married and had no dependants.
3. He was not hospitalised as he sadly passed away at the scene.
4. The employer has told us as a family we can over fight for bereavement pay. But we are not after money we want justice!

"There should not be four reasons why a solicitor will not take on the case, Robbie died at work in a dangerous environment. That should be enough to warrant a solicitor representing a family that is still trying to make sense of losing Robbie.

"Age, marital status, whether they had dependants or if they were not hospitalised should not dictate accountability, we as a family did not get the chance to go to a hospital to say our goodbyes. We want justice! Justice for Robbie and other families that have had to endure this unimaginable pain."

"The law needs to change - no matter what the circumstances all families should be able to get justice for their loved ones."