The brother of a worker crushed to death at a Bradford timber yard last week is appealing for the man who tried to save him to come forward.

Tony Crossley, of Bolling Hall Road, was devastated when police broke the news that his youngest brother John, 52, had been killed at work while using a stacking machine at Ramsey Timber in Wellington Street, Laisterdyke, last Tuesday.

He was found trapped by a workmate who desperately tried to revive him before paramedics arrived. Mr Crossley was pronounced dead at the scene.

Now the family are appealing for the mystery man to come forward so they can thank him.

A Health and Safety Executive investigation has been launched and computer experts were called in to examine the machine Mr Crossley was using.

Bosses at Peter Ramsey & Sons pledged their full support to HSE inspectors and paid tribute to Mr Crossley as a "valued and respected" member of the team who would be greatly missed.

Tony said police discovered he was John's next of kin only after searching through his brother's belongings at the flat where he lived alone in Moseley House, Laisterdyke.

"It was a terrible shock. John was the youngest of eight children, he was a private man but was no loner, he had plenty of friends and seemed to enjoy work. It suited him to work 12-hour shifts just three days a week. Losing John was even more poignant because we lost our older brother on Boxing Day."

He added: "I've rang his work up but they seem to be guarded about telling me what happened. I know one of John's workmates tried to resuscitate him before the paramedics arrived and I desperately want to find out who he is so I can meet him and say thank you for trying to bring John back."

Mr Crossley's funeral was to be held today at Scholemoor Crematorium at 2pm.

"I'm hoping some of John's friends from work will be coming along to say goodbye to him. Maybe I'll get a chance to meet the man who tried to save him then." Tony can be contacted on (01274) 393873.

An inquest into his brother's death was opened and adjourned last week.