Nicholas Milburn is believed to have died after sustaining ‘chest injuries’ at the site
Poppy Kennedy and Olivia Bridge
08:27, 14 Jan 2026Updated 10:55, 14 Jan 2026
The crane operator found the body(Image: The Gazette)
A crane operator working at a recycling site made a horrifying discovery after finding a dead body amongst the waste.
Teesside and Hartlepool coroner’s court heard how a 45-year-old man, later identified as Nicholas Milburn, was tragically relocated amongst the waste at Haverton Hill recycling centre in Billingham, reports Teesside Live.
The man’s death was reported when a crane operator working a claw at the plant picked up waste as well as Milburn’s body on September 24, 2025.
Cleveland Police were called to the SUEZ waste processing site at around 1.45pm.
Operations at the facility were suspended whilst police conducted their investigation.
During the inquest into Mr Milburn’s death on Tuesday (January 13), it was revealed that he was identified through fingerprint analysis conducted at the University Hospital of North Tees, which provided a positive match for the man, according to police documentation.
Paul Appleton, area coroner for Teesside and Hartlepool, stated: “A crane operator had been working within line three… at the Haverton Hill recycling plant. They were using a remote operated claw. They picked up a quantity of waste from line three and noticed the body of a deceased male.”
The hearing was informed that the crane was subsequently lowered to ground level and measures were implemented to cease all site operations. A post mortem examination determined the provisional medical cause of death as “chest injuries”.
Cleveland Police had earlier stated that the 45 year old’s death was not being regarded as suspicious following a Home Office Post Mortem examination. The inquest has been adjourned with no date yet confirmed for the subsequent hearing.