The family of a man who was crushed to death in a workplace accident in 2006 have been paid compensation for their loss.

Jose Maria Martos Fernandez was working as a fisherman at a harbour in Lochinver, Scotland, when the accident occurred, the Aberdeen Press and Journal reports.

The men were unloading boxes of fish using a winch when a wire rope snapped. Mr Fernandez was hit on the head and shoulders by the cargo and he died at the scene.

After an investigation into the incident, it was concluded that regular checks on the state of the rope, which had become corroded, would have revealed that it was unsuitable and the death could have been avoided.

Lagun Talde, the company which owned the boat, was prosecuted under health and safety regulations and was ordered to pay £50,000 in compensation to Mr Fernandez’s family.

According to the Health and Safety Executive, 229 workers were killed at work in 2007-08.