Fines totalling £18,700 have been handed down after a foreman died when an excavator bucket filled with concrete fell on him at a London construction site.

Euro Earthworks Ltd general foreman, Gerry Fox, was crushed by an excavator bucket when it fell from the arm of the 12 tonne excavator being driven by a colleague.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted Hydro Plant Ltd, the plant hire company which had provided the excavator and Michael Cunningham, the excavator operator, for safety breaches after the August 2007 incident.

Hounslow based Euro Earthworks Ltd, the principal contractor and Mr Cunningham's employer, also faces charges but has entered administration and did not appear at court.