A VICAR has been comforting pupils after a builder was crushed to death by a dumper truck at their school.

Children at Red Oaks Primary returned to school yesterday following Anthony Lockey's death on Wednesday.

Three youngsters are believed to have seen the accident in a cordoned-off area next to the school's playground in Redhouse Way.

Headteacher Teresa Menham said: "The whole school team has coped brilliantly. Everybody has done really well, parents staff and children.

"It has been a very calm day and we've had fantastic feedback from the parents.

"They have said they think the situation has been dealt with in a professional and caring manner."

North Swindon vicar Rev Mike Haslam spent the whole day at the school yesterday helping pupils come to terms with the tragedy.

As parents arrived in the morning, they were handed letters from Mrs Menham explaining that Mr Haslam would be lead a special assembly.

The letter to mums and dads read: "Yesterday at Red Oaks Primary school there was a tragic accident.

"A sub-contractor working for John Laing died in a workplace industrial accident. A very limited number of children witnessed the incident and the school, police and John Laing are offering full support for those families involved.

"The whole school will join together this morning with Mrs Menham and the Rev Mike Haslam to remember everyone who helps us in school and to hold hands in remembrance of the man who tragically died here.

"Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time."

Mrs Menham confirmed that the children who had witnessed Mr Lockey's accident had briefly attended school and were expected to return today.

"Everybody was in school today and everybody will be in tomorrow, for at least some of the day," Mrs Menham said yesterday.

"I'm not saying everyone is coping just yet, but everyone was in by the end of the day."

Parents arriving at the primary school yesterday morning said they were not at all worried for their children's safety.

One mother said: "It was not a child or member of staff who was hurt, so I'm sure there is no risk to our children.

"I wasn't concerned at all about bringing my children back to school this morning."

A father who did not want to be named said: "Obviously it is an awful thing for the man's family and the children who saw it, but I think the school have been fine and acted responsibly."

Mr Lockey, 48, of Pinehurst Road, and other sub-contractors were building storage sheds when the accident took place.

He was taken by ambulance to the Great Western Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Police and the Health and Safety Executive are investigating. They have confirmed there are no suspicious circumstances.