Construction worker dies in Holborn Crossrail tunnel

Firefighters were called to rescue a man who injured ten metres down a tunnel

Crossrail workers, inspect the first completed section of Crossrail tunnel (PA)

A construction worker has died at one of the Crossrail construction sites in central London.

Firefighters said they were called to rescue the 43-year-old workman who was injured ten metres down a tunnel in Holborn at 5.40am this morning.

Six fire rescue units, three fire engines and over 50 firefighters and officers attended the scene, along with ambulance crews. The man was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has been informed.

A spokesman for Crossrail said: "Sadly, at approximately 5am this morning a contractor working at our site in Fisher Street, London was fatally injured. Our first and foremost thoughts are with the family and friends affected by this. The family has been informed. 

“When the incident occurred, work was taking place to build a new crossover tunnel between two train tunnels that have already been constructed by Crossrail’s boring machines.

“The worker was spraying concrete onto the excavated ground when a piece of concrete from the ceiling of the tunnel fell and hit him.

“Crossrail has suspended all work at Fisher Street and associated works across the project. A full and thorough investigation into this tragic incident is being undertaken. The Metropolitan Police and the Health and Safety Executive remain on site.”

“Safety is our number one priority and Crossrail sets the most stringent safety requirements in the industry. Despite this terrible incident, Crossrail’s accident rate is below the industry average.”

The Crossrail line will run from Maidenhead and Heathrow Airport in the west and Abbey Wood and Shenfield in the east through central London. It is due to open in 2018.

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