Catastrophic Injuries

Foundry Worker Crushed To Death

A man has died after suffering "catastrophic" injuries when a 67 tonne steel cast fell on him from an overhead crane at a Sheffield foundry.

The horrific incident took place on Wednesday night at the Forgemasters site at Brightside Lane in the Don Valley area of the city. Firefighters that attended the scene said the cast, used to contain molten metal, crashed to the ground after it became dislodged from an overhead crane.

A "valiant" attempt to free the man was made by his workmates who desperately tried to relieve the pressure from the man's lower body. Paramedics arrived to find the man still alive but soon administered pain relief to render him unconscious as the rescue operation began.

Firefighters then helped to move the man to safety after securing the giant cast.

However, a police spokesman confirmed that the "catastrophically injured" man, believed to be in his mid-20s, had died later in hospital.

Copyright © Press Association 2010

David Urpeth from law firm Irwin Mitchell said: "This was a horrific fatal accident at work.

"Sadly, fatal injuries caused by falls and falling objects remain a major category of serious and fatal injuries after a work accident.

"It is not unreasonable to expect workers go to work and expect to return home safely at the end of the day. Sadly, all to often, this doesn't happen."

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