They worked for the same company and were about the same age, but they didn’t know each other’s names – and by mid-afternoon on Tuesday, both expected to be on their way home within the next few hours.

Mr Canning did not make it home.

And Mr Strong wound up in police custody, arrested and charged with manslaughter over the death of Mr Canning at Crawfords Freightlines in Sandgate.

It all changed with a minor collision between the forklift Mr Canning was driving and the prime mover being driven by his co-worker, Mr Strong.

Mr Canning, 45, of Beresfield, had been working at the Sandgate transport business for just a few months.

He was loading a semi-trailer at 2.45pm when Mr Strong, 44, of Warabrook, passed between the ­forklift and the semi-trailer that his colleague was in the process of loading.

Police say the forklift reversed into the rear of the truck, driven by Mr Strong.

The two men argued. Police say Mr Strong grabbed Mr Canning by the front of his jumper and allegedly punched him to the left side of his head and jaw – four times.

Mr Strong was walking away when he heard yelling and moved out of the way as the forklift moved toward him.

Mr Canning was still sitting, but unconscious, in the forklift. His colleagues tried to help him, by giving him CPR. He was taken to John Hunter Hospital and pronounced dead on arrival.

Mr Strong was arrested and taken into police custody.

He was charged with assault causing death, a manslaughter-like charge carrying a maximum of 20 years.

He was still wearing his work clothes when he made a brief appearance in Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday where he applied for bail.

He was released on conditions agreed to by police, which included that he not approach the victim’s ­relatives or family, that he stay away from work, report to Waratah police daily and  be of good behaviour.

According to a police statement ­tendered during the bail application, Mr Strong told police he had no ­history with Mr Canning, and had not known his name.

Police said they thought there was “no intent whatsoever” but were  at a loss to explain the circumstances of the alleged assault.

Moments after Mr Strong’s release, Newcastle police investigations co-ordinator Detective Inspector Peter Mahon made a statement to the media.

“It is a tragic situation for all parties, unfortunately,” he said.

“Police have spoken to the [victim’s] family and they are, understandably, very upset over this. I can’t explain it and nor can the company which, from what I can understand, is a very good company. Most of the employees get along well.”

No plea has been entered and Mr Strong is due back in court on September 30.

Crawfords Freightlines managing director Peter Crawford described the incident as a tragedy.

“We are all saddened by the death of one of our valued employees at our premises this week,’’ he said in a statement issued on Wednesday afternoon.

‘’We express our deepest sympathies to the man’s family and friends during this difficult time.

"We are mindful of the impact the tragedy has had on his co-workers and, accordingly, we have organised for counsellors to be brought in to offer support to our staff.

“The incident is currently under investigation by NSW police and we are co-operating fully with their inquiries.”