FACTORY worker David Glendinning died after being caught between two

huge blocks of glass, a fatal accident inquiry was told yesterday at

Glasgow Sheriff Court.

The accident happened while Mr Glendinning, 22, was guiding one of the

blocks, which was supported by an overhead hydraulic crane, along an

aisle on the floor of the Independent Glass Company factory at Quay Road

North, Rutherglen, on July 10.

Rescue efforts were hampered through fear of breaking the block of 25

sheets of glass held in a metal frame.

Eventually, using heavy wooden levers and by delicate manipulation of

the crane, the block was eased up, and Mr Glendinning, of Kinfauns

Drive, Drumchapel, Glasgow, was pulled clear.

Mr Alan Wylie, 28, of Medlar Road, Abronhill, Cumbernauld, told the

inquiry: ''I was shocked. I could see David standing trapped between the

two blocks of glass.''

Mr Glendinning, who suffered crushing injuries to the chest, and a

fractured collar bone and ribs, died eight days later at the Victoria

Infirmary, Glasgow.

The inquiry was told that the injuries themselves might not have

proved fatal but the victim's breathing had been badly affected, leading

to brain damage.

Mr Wylie, a glass cutter, and also the firm's first aid man, said that

when he reached the scene he could see Mr Glendinning wedged between the

block he had been moving and another block, which had already been

stacked.

After they freed him, Mr Glendinning was given mouth to mouth

resuscitation. Cardiac massage was also tried before an ambulance

arrived with oxygen.

The inquiry was shown a video film of how the blocks of glass were

moved from lorries by crane after being locked into metal frames. They

were then moved along aisles by an overhead hydraulic crane, with two

workers helping to steer the block by hand.

Mr Stuart Baillie, 23, of Abernethy Street, Haghill, Glasgow, said he

was helping Mr Glendinning to guide the block along the aisle to be

stacked when he was called away to attend to a customer.

Then he heard the sound of the glass toppling, looked back and could

see that his colleague was trapped. Mr Baillie said that it was not

usual for someone to try to guide the block by themselves.

The inquiry before Sheriff Eric Galt continues.