10m death fall through manhole on United Utilities site

Police are investigating the death of a subcontractor who fell through a manhole to the bottom of a 10m storm drain on a United Utilities site.

Peter Halligan, 45, plunged 10m down the hole while building a storm water holding tank in Macclesfield, Cheshire.

Rescue workers rushed to the scene at Lyme Green Business Park at 3pm last Thursday and climbed down to save him but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police are leading an investigation into the accident and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has been notified.

A Morgan Est spokeswoman said the firm was working with the HSE to determine how the man fell.

She said: “Safety is paramount at Morgan Est and we are greatly shocked and saddened that such a tragedy should have happened.”