The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has told operators of vehicles and machinery that they must adhere to safety regulations after a pedestrian was killed in an accident.

Colin Clifford, 50, was driving an excavator outside a house in London in 2007, when he raised the buckets over the pavement.

Joseph Johnston, 81, was walking past when Mr Clifford pulled the wrong lever and the buckets fell onto the footpath, striking Mr Johnston.

He subsequently died from his injuries and Mr Clifford has been prosecuted under health and safety at work regulations.

The HSE ruled that Mr Clifford should not have lifted the bucket on the vehicle and that he should have ordered colleagues to close off the footpath.

HSE investigating inspector Lisa Chappell said: "This case shows the worst case of what can go wrong when operators cut corners."

Pedestrians are one of the most at risk groups from being seriously injured if they are involved in a collision with any vehicle, which is why they must be given right of way.

A compensation claim can be made for injuries if it can be proven that the driver of the vehicle was responsible for the collision.