The young driver Roberto Hernández was about to leave his job in Lanzagrava when he died this Thursday in a work accident. As a person close to the family explained to La Voz, Roberto, who had training in mechanics, had gotten a job at the ITV. In fact, he was planning to start working there last Tuesday, August 16. However, when he went to sign his contract it had not yet arrived and he continued in the construction company. There he died this Thursday, when a lifting machine crushed him when it fell on him, in the aggregate extraction quarry of Güime. He will be buried this Saturday in Tías, after a funeral mass at 1:00 p.m. in the church of San Antonio.
According to what the family of the young man told this person, the accident occurred with a machine that is used in companies and industrial buildings to lift materials such as wooden "pallets". Roberto, who had turned 30 last January, "was loading something and at one point he turned to one side and the poor boy was caught underneath. He died instantly." When it happened, he was "alone" in that part of the company, but "another co-worker appeared at the moment" to help him. However, he could no longer "do anything" for him. Upon arrival, the paramedics could only certify his death.
La Voz de Lanzarote has tried to obtain the company's version of what happened, but Lanzagrava has declined to comment. For his part, this person close to the deceased young man states that he does not know the causes of the accident. "Who knows, but in the end it's a life that goes away...", he lamented. His death is being investigated by the Civil Guard and the Labor Inspectorate, to determine the circumstances in which it occurred and to determine responsibilities if any.
His house "filled with people" when the news broke
Roberto Hernández had recently returned to the island after residing in Gijón, where he tried to become a Civil Guard. However, according to this acquaintance, he failed to pass the exam and decided to return to Lanzarote. Then "he got the job in Lanzagrava". But what he was passionate about was the world of motors and, in fact, he had training as a mechanic. "He was the typical kid who likes cars a lot and is always in that little group," this person explains.
For that reason, he continued looking for work in that sector until, "through a friend", he found another job at the ITV in Arrecife. On Tuesday he went there to sign his contract and ready to start in his new job, but "the contract had not arrived because they come from Madrid" and he continued in the construction company. "Destiny...", laments this acquaintance.
The body has been subjected to an autopsy and this Friday afternoon it will be transferred to Tías. The funeral chapel will open its doors at 6:30 p.m., so that all those who wish can show their condolences to family and friends.
According to this person, there are many who have already done so. And it is that, when the tragedy became known this Thursday, Roberto's house "was filling with people", who came to support his relatives, who have been left "devastated". Especially his mother, according to this person, "was doing badly" after learning what happened. This acquaintance has described Roberto Hernández as a "very loved" person with a "large group of friends".
Passionate about motors, Roberto, who inherited the nickname ‘El Pollito’ (The Little Chicken) from his father, who is called ‘El Pollo’ (The Chicken), began to race in rallies in 2007. His first test was the first night rally of La Candelaria, in a Toyota Corolla that he had spent "every afternoon" preparing for weeks. In addition, he was also part of the assistance of Yeray Lemes and Samuel Lemes and recently, he also collaborated with a young Kart Cross driver.
