Worker in critical condition following crane incident

A worker is in a critical condition after his cherry-picker crane toppled over on a building site in Derby yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon.

The 36-year-old unnamed worker was standing 18m up in the crane’s basket at the site of the new £12m Joseph Wright building for Derby College when it toppled over and smashed into a neighbouring steel structure at around 12.45pm.

It is believed that the ground underneath the crane had given way.

The worker for Heage-based main contractor Bowmer & Kirkland was rescued by using a crane from a neighbouring site and was taken to Derbyshire Royal Infirmary where he is now in intensive care suffering from serious arm injuries.

Health & Safety Executive inspectors are now on site investigating the incident.

The site has remained cordoned off while specialist equipment is brought in to remove the toppled crane.