Ikea death: Reading contractor dies in 'workplace incident'

The £10 million two-storey branch only opened this summer

The store shut today as investigations continue (Google)

An Ikea store closed its doors today after a contractor died in a "workplace incident" overnight.

Police, fire and ambulance services were all called to the 45,000sqft Reading branch at around 2.30am after the night-time incident.

"We are very saddened to confirm that this morning a contractor died in an incident on our site in Reading," said Ikea UK and Ireland deputy retail manager Javier Quinones.

"The safety and security of everyone on our premises is always our highest priority and we are now supporting the Thames Valley Police with their investigation.

"The store will remain closed until further notice. Our thoughts are with the individual’s family at this time.”

The Health and Safety Executive will investigate Google (Google)

A police spokesman said officers were called to the Pincents Lane store at 2.33am by the ambulance service.

"We attended the scene where sadly a man had died," said the spokesman, who added that no arrests have been made. "Officers remain at the site while an investigation is carried out."

A South Central Ambulance source described it to getreading as a "workplace incident".

Some shoppers have reacted on Facebook, including Sharlene Whittington who said on Facebook: "It sounds like something terribly serious has happened as the lady telling the traffic was visibly shaken."

The £10 million two-storey Calcot shopping destination opened on 14 July.