Fatal Fall From Height In Scotland

An investigation has been launched into the death of an engineer who died while inspecting a railway viaduct.
 
The man, who has not been named, died after falling 70 feet from a "cherry picker" vehicle - which have a metal compartment on the end of a hydraulic arm, allowing people to be lifted up to work at heights. He was working for Network Rail as a contractor.

Police said he was killed when the vehicle tipped over at Stewarton in Ayrshire. He is believed to have been in his 40s.

A British Transport Police (BTP) spokesman said: "A man, believed to be in his 40s, died after the 'cherry-picker' vehicle he was working from appears to have toppled as he inspected the railway viaduct at Stewarton from below."

The spokesman said BTP officers and Strathclyde Police were sent to the scene and an investigation into the circumstances is under way.

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch and the Office of Rail Regulation have been informed.

A Network Rail spokesman said: "An engineering contractor has died following an accident on the road beneath Stewarton Viaduct.

"We are working with the police and our contractors to investigate the cause of the incident. Our thoughts are with the man's family at this time."

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David Urpeth from law firm Irwin Mitchell said: “This was a terrible fatal accident at work.  Whilst the circumstances are currently under investigation, clearly, something went tragically wrong.

“Falls from height remain a major cause of serious and fatal injuries following a work accident.”

If you have lost a loved one due to an accident at work, our serious injury claims solicitors could help you claim compensation to help get the answers you deserve. For more information visit our fatal accident claims or fall from height claims page.