Man crushed to death on Bouygues hospital site

A construction worker has been killed on the Broomfield Hospital site in Essex after a freak gust of wind caused a crane to spin out of control.

The accident occurred yesterday (Monday) at around 1.25pm on the Mid-Essex PFI scheme, where Bouygues is main contractor.

According to eyewitnesses, masonry was being lifted to the top of one of the buildings under construction when a strong gust of wind sent the crane spinning round.

This caused a large block of masonry to fall from the crane, landing on top of a construction worker below.

A spokeswoman for Essex Police confirmed that the man was pronounced dead at the scene and that the Health and Safety Executive was investigating.

Three crews from Chelmsford and Colchester Fire Brigades attended the scene and had to use cutting tools to free the body of the victim, who has not been named.

Bouygues signed the £120m PFI deal in February of this year, having been chosen as preferred bidder in 2004.