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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Worker critical after tank fall | Worker critical after tank fall |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A construction worker is critically ill after falling 10 metres into an empty water tank in County Down. | A construction worker is critically ill after falling 10 metres into an empty water tank in County Down. |
| The accident happened on a site off Ashley Drive in Bangor at about 0830 BST on Friday. | |
| Fire crews, a specialist rope rescue team and the ambulance service went to the scene. | Fire crews, a specialist rope rescue team and the ambulance service went to the scene. |
| It took about 90 minutes to rescue the 47-year-old man, who was transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. | It took about 90 minutes to rescue the 47-year-old man, who was transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. |
| JJ McAllister from the Fire and Rescue Service said the paramedics were working to stabilise the man at the bottom of the tank when fire crews arrived. | JJ McAllister from the Fire and Rescue Service said the paramedics were working to stabilise the man at the bottom of the tank when fire crews arrived. |
| "It was difficult, in that it was a confined space and it was 10 metres below ground," he said. | "It was difficult, in that it was a confined space and it was 10 metres below ground," he said. |
| "We have to take all casualties who have fallen this distance to be possible spinal injuries. | "We have to take all casualties who have fallen this distance to be possible spinal injuries. |
| "Any sort of movement has to be very, very much controlled. | "Any sort of movement has to be very, very much controlled. |
| "He was conscious at the bottom of the well and obviously the fellow workers were somewhat traumatised and distressed by the nature of such an incident." | "He was conscious at the bottom of the well and obviously the fellow workers were somewhat traumatised and distressed by the nature of such an incident." |
| The incident happened on a site where a water pumping station is being built. | The incident happened on a site where a water pumping station is being built. |
| In a statement, NI Water said although it was one of its sites, the day-to-day management of health and safety is the responsibility of the contractor. | |
| "NI Water will assist the Health and Safety Executive in their inquiries and will also carry out an independent investigation into the incident," it said. | |
| "NI Water would like to express our deepest concern for the individual involved and wish him a speedy recovery." |