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Worker critical after tank fall | Worker critical after tank fall |
(9 minutes 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 in the Ashley Drive area in Bangor at about 0830 BST on Friday. | |
It took fire crews about 90 minutes to rescue the 47-year-old man. A specialist rope rescue team and the ambulance service went to the scene. | |
The injured man was taken 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. | 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 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." | "NI Water would like to express our deepest concern for the individual involved and wish him a speedy recovery." |