An investigation is under way after a man died from injuries at the R Plevin wood recycling plant at Crow Edge, near Penistone.

South Yorkshire Police and the Health and Safety Executive are examining the circumstances surrounding the incident. And Jamie Plevin, managing director of Plevin said: “The health and safety of our employees is of the utmost importance, and we are co-operating fully with the relevant authorities to investigate the circumstances around this incident.”

Police said emergency services were called to the plant, which makes biomass fuel for a power station, on Monday afternoon following reports that a man had been injured.

The 48-year-old was taken to hospital and died on Tuesday July 1. He has not yet been named.

Mr Plevin said: “We are very sorry to report the death of an employee who was working at our Hazlehead site. We extend our sincere condolences to his family and friends, and are offering all available support at this difficult time.

“We will provide further information as it becomes available.”

Last month a major fire – the second this year – broke out in wood chippings on the site. Smoke blanketed the area, people living nearby were told to keep doors and windows shut, water from firefighting leached into rivers, reportedly polluting them and firemen from three brigades with special pumping equipment were on site for two weeks.

A public meeting, to which MP Angela Smith, the Environment Agency and the Health and Safety executive are invited, is planned at Crow Edge Community Centre on Thursday July 3 at 8pm.