UPS driver 'worked to death' after 12-hour shift delivering over 200 parcels each day for 6 weeks due to Christmas rush
A driver who works for UPS collapsed and died after doing an exhausting 12-hour shift for the logistics company.
The 42-year-old driver and father of two, Paul Crush, had a suspected heart attack at the company's depot in Stanford-le-Hope in Essex. The incident took place last week on Wednesday, December 18, after Crush reportedly delivered around 240 parcels a day.
It is common for workers to take around 100 parcels but due to the Christmas rush, he had been posting more than 200 for the last six weeks.
The hardworking driver hailed from Chelmsford, Essex and earned around £30,000 a year. He had been a part of UPS' Essex hub of 120 workers. His friends had revealed that Crush had been under too much pressure.
According to a report by The Sun, one of Crush's friends said, "I saw him having coffee before he started his shift and he looked tired and said it had been a struggle for him to get out of bed — but he was as cheerful as ever."
"That was his problem. He was the kind of guy who would never say no to extra work. He'll have died of natural causes but his mates who knew him think he's been worked to death," the friend added.
He added that UPS has a league table for its staff and the Stanford-le-Hope hub had been performing well.
Crush leaves behind his 40-year-old wife Tracey, who was believed to be "beside herself with grief". He also leaves behind his two children — a four-year-old son and an eight-year-old daughter.
UPS released a statement and said, "We are deeply saddened by the loss of our fellow UPSer. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and colleagues."
His death is not being looked at as suspicious. A GoFundMe page was started for Crush and has raised more than $2,600 (£2,000).
The page read, "We'd like to start a collection to ease the pressure on the Crush family, perhaps assist with funeral costs or just to treat the children, whatever may help."