Inquiry continues into port death

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/7032761.stm

Version 0 of 1.

An in-depth investigation has been promised into the death of a worker at a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Pembrokeshire.

Dyfed Powys Police said the body of a 44-year-old Dutchman was recovered on Sunday night.

He had been working on a maintenance platform alongside a jetty at the Milford Haven port site when it collapsed at 1500 BST on Saturday.

Safety experts and management are to assess the impact on work at the site.

Seven men were rescued and one was said to be "stable" in hospital after the incident.

The man's body was not recovered until Sunday night because of the four-legged jack-up barge's instability.

John Constable of South Hook LNG confirmed the death with "deep regret" and said next of kin had been informed.

Senior management, safety experts and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) were on site on Sunday assessing how the terminal would run on Monday, said Mr Constable.

What we need to do is get the experts on site, the management of the operation and the relevant authorities to look very carefully at the situation John Constable, South Hook LNG

"I am sure our employers and contractors will also want to consider what they want to do," he added.

"We don't know what the next step in the short term will be.

"What we need to do is get the experts on site, the management of the operation and the relevant authorities to look very carefully at the situation to decide what can be done."

He added that the rescue and recovery operation would be followed with a full in-depth investigation into the incident.

The HSE has also launched an investigation at the terminal.

Milford Haven Port Authority (MHPA) said a salvage unit had been set up to assess the best way to recover the barge.

An exclusion zone was set up after the incident

Five men were rescued by boat from the platform, and two were pulled from the water.

Coastguard crews, police, fire and ambulance teams joined MHPA in the initial search for the missing man until it was called off late on Saturday night due to weather conditions.

Rescue teams resumed the search on Sunday using a remote vessel and underwater camera.

MiHPA established an exclusion zone around the barge, which is listing heavily, amid fears it could capsize.

But the port was able to reopen on Sunday afternoon.

"We very much regret the loss of life since safety at the port for all those who work there is of paramount importance to us," said a spokesman.

There is a 2,000 litre diesel tank in the water, with the Environment Agency and MHPA monitoring the situation.