The grieving girlfriend of a young construction worker who was killed when a heavy piece of machinery fell on him at work has paid tribute to her "kind-hearted" partner.

Liam McArdle, from Gravesend, died last year while working at Ebbsfleet Quarry, the site of a major garden city homes development.

Paramedics and police attended the Erith Group workshop on the A296 Watling Street, near Bean, Dartford, on September 21 but the 24-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene.

Mr McArdle had been helping colleagues operating heavy machinery with loading and unloading work when he was hit by a lifting attachment that became detached from an excavator and rolled off the back of a low-load trailer.

A medical cause of death was given as "multiple injuries".

An inquest into the yard man’s death took place this week at the Shepway Centre in Maidstone as a jury returned a verdict of accidental death.

Assistant coroner for North West Kent Alan Blunsdon, described the "tragic case", adding: “It appears Liam was working at the rear of the low loader.

“As a worker began to lower the demolition grab [an excavator attachment] it fell from the end of the trailer, rolled off and ended up crushing Liam and causing fatal injuries.”

Mr McArdle, of Winters Croft, Gravesend, was employed by Erith Plant Services Ltd and had been working at the firm’s quarry site near the Ebbsfleet Castle Hill development for two years.

The inquest jury was shown footage of the moment he was struck by the attachment causing the fatal injuries.

They heard a range of evidence on health and safety matters relating to the site, including exclusion zones, passenger walkways and technical aspects related to the operation of excavators.

Mr McArdle’s work colleagues explained the correct use of “Quick Hitch” latching devices which allow attachments to be added and removed.

Jury members were also told how the correct operation of such machinery was often left to the discretion of individual employees.

They heard from Andrew James Reeve, who was operating the digger at the time of the fatal accident. He said he had since been dismissed for gross misconduct.

He said: “I remember taking the machine out in the morning. After that the first thing I remember is a scream coming from the back of the trailer after I unloaded. I jumped out the machine and found Liam.”

Asked by the coroner what had caused the incident, he replied: “It shouldn’t have moved – I still don’t know to this day why or how.”

The construction worker told the inquest there was a convoy of forklift operators working in the area including Mr McArdle.

He said he was unaware of Mr McArdle’s presence behind the excavator – which had multiple blind spots – which was against safety rules, the jury heard.

“It shouldn’t have moved I still don’t know till this day, why or how.”

Had he been aware, Mr Reeve claimed he would have stopped operating immediately and told off his more junior colleague, adding: “He knows I would have let him have it."

The former HGV driver, who also worked alongside Mr McArdle's dad on site, added: “I treated Liam like my own boy. Liam was a good kid.”

Extensive inquiries were carried out by police which ruled out any "third party involvement".

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) remains ongoing.

The independent regulator told the court it found no mechanical faults with either the machinery or its attachments.

Craig Logan, a specialist HSE inspector, told jurors Mr McArdle had found himself in the "danger zone" when the "load operation was not complete".

His observations following a site inspection found there was also little room on the trailer for the attachment to be deposited.

The 10-person jury concluded the death was an accident.

Mr Blunsdon expressed his condolences to the family, adding: "It is a tragic case and one that is distressing not only because the family have to relive the facts but because of the photographic evidence which we have shown in court.

"I understand how harrowing it must be hearing the evidence. I'm sure Liam would have been proud of you for being here to hear the evidence reported here today."

Speaking after the hearing, partner Kylie Barden, also from Gravesend, paid tribute to "kind-hearted" Liam.

The couple initially struck up a friendship before dating and went on various trips across the UK together, most recently to Yorkshire and Blackpool.

"He was such a kind-hearted person, he always had time for anyone," the 20-year-old said. "If I had had a bad day he would often surprise me."

Kylie also explained how Liam was a keen car enthusiast and had a passion for modified vehicles.

On his first birthday since his death she helped organise a car meet-up at their "special place" on Blue Bell Hill for friends to pay their respects.

Kylie added: "I loved him and I would do anything to have him back."