Worker critical after tank fall

The accident happened on a site in Ashley Drive, Bangor

A construction worker is critically ill after falling 10 metres into an empty water tank in County Down.

The accident happened on a site in the Ashley Drive area in Bangor at about 0830 BST on Friday.

It took fire crews about 90 minutes to rescue the 47-year-old man. A specialist rope rescue team and the ambulance service went to the scene.

The injured man was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.

JJ McAllister from the Fire and Rescue Service said the paramedics were working to stabilise the man at the bottom of the tank when fire crews arrived.

"It was difficult, in that it was a confined space and it was 10 metres below ground," he said.

"We have to take all casualties who have fallen this distance to be possible spinal injuries.

"Any sort of movement has to be very, very much controlled.

"He was conscious at the bottom of the well and obviously the fellow workers were somewhat traumatised and distressed by the nature of such an incident."

Responsibility

The incident happened on a site where a water pumping station is being built.

In a statement, NI Water said although it was one of its sites, the day-to-day management of health and safety is the responsibility of the contractor.

"NI Water will assist the Health and Safety Executive in their inquiries and will also carry out an independent investigation into the incident," it said.

"NI Water would like to express our deepest concern for the individual involved and wish him a speedy recovery."