04.08.2005

Platform failure kills man at T5

A man working for Laing O’Rourke was killed and another injured yesterday, when they fell 13 metres after a bolt failed on a “work platform” at Heathrows Terminal Five. While it is not clear at this stage, information gained from contractors on the site suggests that it was a fixed cantilever platform attached to a pre cast concrete slab.

The accident occurred at around 3.00pm yesterday afternoon. Matthew Gilbert, 27, from Plymouth died later at Charing Cross hospital from his injuries. The second man is seriously injured and is reported to have a broken jaw and a broken pelvis.

The incident happened on the multi Storey car park, the Police and HSE were investigating today but no further details of the accident were available. The entire T5 work site was shut down while the investigation was carried out.