THE leader of City of York Council said today that everyone there had been left "devastated" by the tragic death of one of its workers.

As reported in later editions of yesterday's Evening Press, the council employee was killed when the sit-on mower he was working on overturned on a steep embankment.

Firefighters and paramedics were called to the incident, at Water End, near Clifton Bridge, but the man was declared dead at the scene.

Steve Galloway, leader of the council, today paid tribute to the man, and passed on the authority's condolences.

He said: "We were all devastated by the news of the accident. Our sympathies go out to the man's friends and family at this time."

Coun Galloway was speaking as investigations into the accident were launched by both the council and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

A spokeswoman for the HSE said an investigation had begun, but she could not say anything more until it was concluded. She said it would have to decide whether or not to prosecute, and that an investigation could take months.

The council has also launched its own internal investigation, but officials there were also unable to provide further details at this stage.

A brief silence was held yesterday at the Lord Mayor's Day, before the retiring Lord Mayor, Coun Janet Looker, handed over to her successor, Coun Janet Greenwood.

The mower involved in the accident was made by Hayter, and the company's directors say they too will investigate what happened.

Managing director Steve Maryniak said the firm was contacting the police and the council to try to get full details. It was too soon for the firm to identify exactly what had gone wrong.

The firm's technical director, Derek Bolton, said: "We are deeply sad that someone should be killed during the use of any of our products. That's terrible, and we deeply regret it."

The identity of the dead man was being withheld until relatives had been informed.

Updated: 10:22 Friday, May 20, 2005