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Construction workers suffer fatal falls from Forth and Tay bridges

Two workers have died in separate falls from the Forth and Tay Rail Bridges in Scotland. The Forth Bridge death occurred when a painter fell some 50m from a ladder. The fall on the Tay Bridge was from a ‘ledge’.

David Simpson Network Rail Scotland said: “These tragic events have deeply shocked and saddened everyone linked to these projects”

British Transport Police said: “BTP received a report of a man having fallen from a ladder onto a ledge under the Tay Rail Bridge. The

man, who was a contractor, died at the scene. Police and paramedics attended the scene and HM Railway Inspectorate has been informed.”

Ian Prosser Director of railway safety at the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR), said “Our inspectors have launched an investigation into the Forth bridge accident and we are awaiting further details about the Tay bridge incident.

“We expect to investigate both to find out exactly what happened and quickly identify whether more should be done to prevent other deaths or injuries.”

This article was posted on 28th January 2010 in ALL LATEST NEWS, FATALITIES, WORK AT HEIGHT.
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