Man arrested for manslaughter after death on Skanska site

A man has been arrested for manslaughter after a worker was killed on a Skanska / GrantRail construction site in West Ham, east London.

A statement from the British Transport Police said: "A man has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with the death of a man who was crushed by machinery."

The accident occurred at 8.25am this morning. One site worker claimed that the man was struck on the head by a digger bucket but a Skanska spokeswoman refused to confirm the reports, on the basis that the accident is under investigation. 

The Skanska / GrantRail joint venture is working on the first phase of the £211m Docklands Light Railway (DLR) extension at the site, which is part of the Stratford International Station Extension in time for the London 2012 Games.

In a statement, the joint venture partners said: “Skanska GrantRail extends its deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the individual.

“The matter is under investigation and it would be inappropriate for us to comment further at this time.”

A Transport for London (TfL) statement said:

"We understand a construction worker on a worksite managed by Skanska GrantRail was tragically killed this morning. The site where the incident occurred is on a former surface railway route between Canning Town station and Stratford International which is being converted to DLR use. 

"A full investigation into the incident is being undertaken by the main contractors Skanska GrantRail and by the Health and Safety Executive. Our thoughts are with the man's family and colleagues."

Skanska / GrantRail's work on the Stratford International Station Extension involves:

• the construction of two new platforms on the north side of Stratford station;
• track alignment work to prepare for the new rail link between Stratford and Stratford International; and
• the construction of the shell and foundations of the new DLR station at Stratford International.

Work is expected to be completed in July 2010.