08.11.2006

Crane in fatal accident

A 44-year-old Wigan man died instantly after he was "struck" by a large concrete sewer pipe on a building site yesterday morning.

The man was standing in a four metre deep trench as the pipe was being lifted into position by a crane. Reports suggest that one of the slings holding the pipe, broke, causing it to fall, fatally striking the man.

Ambulance crews were called to the site at Ribbesford Road, Highfield, where main contractor DJN Construction is building 35 houses for Morris Homes on the old Summersale Industrial Estate.

The man, who has not been named, was pronounced dead at the scene.