07.03.14
Worker dies on Crossrail construction site in Holborn
A 43-year-old construction worker has died at one of the Crossrail construction sites in central London.
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) was called this morning to reports of a man suffering injuries in a tunnel in Fisher Street, Holborn, but he was pronounced dead at the scene by doctors from London’s Air Ambulance.
The death is the first on the £14.8bn project to build a train line linking east and west London. Some 25 miles of tunnels are being dug under the capital as part of the project.
A Crossrail spokesman said: “Sadly, at approximately 5am this morning a contractor working at our site in Fisher Street, London, was fatally injured. Our first and foremost thoughts are with the family and friends affected by this. The family has been informed.
“When the incident occurred, work was taking place to build a new crossover tunnel between two train tunnels that have already been constructed by Crossrail’s boring machines.
“The worker was spraying concrete onto the excavated ground when a piece of concrete from the ceiling of the tunnel fell and hit him.
“Crossrail has suspended all work at Fisher Street and associated works across the project. A full and thorough investigation into this tragic incident is being undertaken. The Metropolitan Police and the Health and Safety Executive remain on site.
“Safety is our number one priority and Crossrail sets the most stringent safety requirements in the industry. Despite this terrible incident, Crossrail’s accident rate is below the industry average.”
But, Unite, Britain’s biggest union, is calling on the contractor BFK to meet with it urgently to explain the circumstances surrounding the tragic death.
Guy Langston, Unite regional officer for Crossrail, said: “Our deepest condolences go out to the family of the worker who has been tragically killed in Holborn.
“Crossrail’s contractor BFK has some serious questions to answer. Unite is particularly concerned about health and safety at the site because this is not the first serious incident. In December 2012 a worker sustained horrific burns when he cut through a cable.”
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