Tributes have been paid to a father-of-three who died when a bin lorry crashed into a house in Herefordshire.
Andzie ‘Stan‘ Stanik died in the crash in Leominster after the council vehicle lost control during a morning bin round.
His grieving family have said they are ‘struggling to comprehend what has happened’.
Stan had worked as a binman in Herefordshire for the past 25 years.
In a tribute, his family wrote: ‘In complete disbelief and utter heartbreak, we can confirm that our Dad, Andzie “Stan” Stanik, was the passenger who tragically lost their life this morning in the lorry crash in Leominster.
‘He enjoyed nothing more than a pint of Guinness at the pub in the village, long rambles with his beloved terrier Bella, cheering on Hereford FC at the weekend, and spending time with his children, Tilly, Alfie and Charlie.
‘Dad was “on the bins” around the Herefordshire area for over 25 years so we know his friendly face will be missed. We are sorry to share this news with you all.
‘None of us imagined that our most recent goodbye would be our final one; and that the simple, mundane moments we shared would suddenly become the ones we treasure the most.
Andzie ‘ Stan ‘ Stanik died in the crash in Leominster after the council vehicle lost control during a morning bin round
‘It feels surreal to wake up on an ordinary Tuesday and have someone taken from your life so suddenly and cruelly and as a family, we are struggling to comprehend what has happened.
‘We do hope that you can respect our privacy and leave the police to investigate today’s events comprehensively without online speculation so that we can get the answers we deserve.’
Local residents shared their tributes to Stan, who had become a familiar face in the community.
Caroline Wheeler wrote: ‘I grew up on the same street as Andzie, he was always smiling just like in the photo. Sending condolences to all his family.’
Clive Edwards replied: ‘I have known Stan for all of his time on the bins. When I heard the bin lorry accident my first thought was Stan and sadly it was him, my thoughts are with the family at this tragic time.’
Matt Valenti said: ‘So sad, I remember ‘helping’ him press the button and chuck bin bags in when I was younger. Lovely man. RIP.’
‘Our thoughts are with all the family,’ Niki Scott added, ‘I was at school in Leominster with Stan and his sister Wanda. Stan collected our bins for years and would always wave up to the house. He will be very missed by us all here in Kington & Lyonshall.’
Emergency services including paramedics, police and five fire crews rushed to the scene of the crash in Leominster at 6.40am on Tuesday.
The scene where a bin lorry crashed into a house in Leominster, Herefordshire on Monday morning
Emergency services rushed to the scene of the crash where a man was pronounced dead
Stan was pronounced dead at the scene, while the driver of the lorry and another passenger were taken to hospital.
Their injuries are not thought to be life-threatening. Police confirmed the building was empty at the time of the collision.
Shocking photos show how the impact caused significant damage to the building on Bridge Street and left the front end of the lorry a mangled wreckage.
The council vehicle is believed to have left the road at a mini roundabout between Bridge Street and Hill Street in the town.
Road closures were put in place in the surrounding area while a police cordon was put in place around the building.
Yesterday Superintendent Helen Wain, of West Mercia Police, said: ‘Shortly after 6.40am this morning emergency services responded to a report a bin lorry had collided with a building in Mill Street in Leominster.
‘Three people were in the vehicle at the time of the collision and it has now been confirmed that sadly a man in his 60s, who was a passenger, was pronounced dead at the scene.
‘The driver and a second passenger were treated at the scene by paramedics and taken to hospital for treatment.
‘Their injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.
‘The building was empty and no one else was injured.
‘On behalf of all agencies, our thoughts and condolences are with those involved and families affected by the incident.’
