A CONSTRUCTION worker on the new £1.4 billion Queensferry Crossing has been killed and another injured in a tragic accident with a crane.
The death of the 60-year-old, on Workers’ Memorial Day, is believed to be the first fatality on the steel bridge, due to open in December, since work started in 2011. Police are investigating the circumstances of the incident on the north tower. All work was stopped immediately.
The worker is alleged to have been struck by a moving boom on a crane at about 12.20pm yesterday on the deck of the north tower. It is understood the man suffered severe blood loss and could not be resuscitated.
Another worker sustained minor injuries in the incident.
The tragedy sparked a flood of heartfelt condolences to his family on social media from unions, bridge project bosses, VisitScotland and politicians from across the political spectrum including Nicola Sturgeon, Alex Salmond and Kezia Dugdale.
The First Minister tweeted: “All of my thoughts are with the family and friends of the worker who has died on the Queensferry Crossing today.”
Salmond wrote: “Tragic news on the death of one of the workers on the Queensferry Crossing today. My thoughts are with his family and friends.” Scottish Labour leader Dugdale pointed out on Twitter that the accident happened on Workers’ Memorial day and that her thoughts were also with his family.
Construction workers’ union UCATT said it is understood the man was struck by the boom of a crane he was directing.
Union leaders said the death was a poignant reminder of the dangers that exist in the construction industry.
A Queensferry Crossing project spokesman said: “We are deeply saddened to have to confirm there was an incident just before noon on April 28 on the Queensferry Crossing’s north tower in which a person has lost his life.
“One other person has been taken to hospital. All activity has been stopped at the north tower. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of our colleague and co-worker at this time.”
A tweet was also posted from Forth Road Bridge ?@forthroadbridge saying: “We are distraught to hear today’s tragic news from the Queensferry Crossing. Our sincere condolences to everyone affected.” UCATT regional secretary Harry Frew also sent “sincere condolences to the family of the worker” who died and said he was just returning from a memorial day ceremony in Glasgow when he heard the news.
He added: “I am very saddened about this tragedy and our thoughts are with his family. UCATT will be doing everything it can to find out how and why this accident occurred, and to ensure that similar fatalities are prevented in the future.”
Police Scotland officers are trying to piece together the events which led to the worker’s death. “Inquiries to establish the full circumstances surrounding this matter are ongoing,” it said.
The new crossing was ordered by ministers because of corrosion of the main suspension cable on the Forth Road Bridge from Fife to Edinburgh.
During the construction of the Forth Bridge, the rail bridge that opened in 1890, 73 workers died, while seven workers died during construction of the Forth Road Bridge, which opened in 1964.
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