A MAN has described his ordeal after a 2.5 tonne fork lift truck drove over his leg.

Paul Hollaway, a self-employed landscaper, was shopping for timber at South Coast Building Supplies in Poole Lane, Bournemouth, when the accident occurred on the morning of October 27 last year.

The builders' merchant was fined £15,000 at Bournemouth Magistrates Court on Wednesday after admitting an offence under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

Mr Hollaway, 49, said the vehicle knocked him to the ground from behind and nearly reversed over his body, before driving off at an angle and crushing his right leg.

"I feel lucky to be alive, the driver wasn't looking and if the fork lift had come back another couple of feet it would have gone right over me," said Mr Hollaway, who lives in Hamworthy with his partner Tracey.

"The driver didn't notice and drove off. I was screaming and howling and eventually someone noticed and came over."

Mr Hollaway underwent three surgical procedures on his leg, including a nine hour operation where a large patch of vascular, muscular and skin tissue from his left leg was used to reconstruct his right.

He was only able to return to work a few weeks ago, and will have scars and numbness in the leg forever.

"I am a bit disappointed with the fine, they can make that money back in a day," he said, adding that he was seeking compensation for his injury.

"I don't want to see this happen to anyone else."

Magistrates also ordered the company, which has two depots in Southampton, to pay £8,632 costs to Bournemouth Council, which prosecuted the case.

The court was told that following the incident steps were immediately taken to make the yard safer for staff and customers, including refresher training, a new customer entrance gate, customer service point and white lines to separate vehicle movements from pedestrians.

Depot manager Ian Green said: "First South Coast Building Supplies would like to pass on our hopes that Mr Hollaway recovers well from the unfortunate accident that occurred on our premises.

"We have undergone a thorough investigation from the Health and Safety Executive and have followed all their recommendations in order to reduce the risk of any further accidents.

"Health and safety for our customers, staff, drivers and other visitors to our branches is at the forefront of our minds as we continue to monitor and reduce risk on all of our premises."

Council environmental health officer Ben Sims said: "I would urge those businesses operating fork lift trucks to look again at how they manage pedestrian safety, especially to customers who may not be familiar with the dangers posed by their workplace.

"The guidance is clear – the public should not be allowed in fork lift truck operating areas."