Worker killed after being hit by crane on Queensferry Crossing

A 60-year-old worker has been killed after he was hit by the boom of a crane he was directing on the Queensferry Crossing project in Scotland.

The worker suffered severe blood loss, and was taken off site but could not be resuscitated.

The incident happened on Thursday (28 April) on the deck of the bridge’s north tower.

Harry Frew, regional secretary for UCATT Scotland, said: “UCATT sends its sincere condolences to the family of the worker who has suffered this tragic accident. It is impossible to imagine how they must be feeling.

“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.”

The fatality is particularly poignant as it occurred on Workers’ Memorial Day.

Pat Rafferty, Unite’s Scottish secretary, said: “Our thoughts are with the deceased’s family to whom we offer our profound condolences.

“Once again, a loved one has gone to work and will not return home. That is hard to swallow any day but on today of all days, on International Workers’ Memorial Day, when we remember those who have perished at work, this loss is especially poignant.

“We call on the Scottish Health and Safety Executive to thoroughly investigate what has happened here."

Work on the £1.4 billion crossing has been stopped for investigations to take place. The bridge – ordered because of corrosion to a main cable over the existing Forth Road Bridge – is due for completion by the end of the year.