Tufcoat Will
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 6, 2011
- Messages
- 285
- Reaction score
- 0
AN investigation is under way after a scaffolding accident that left a workman dangling from the Royal Albert Bridge.
Eyewitnesses said part of an access platform appeared to collapse as crews worked on the iconic structure.
They watched in horror as 27-year-old Si Taylor was left hanging mid-air, saved from a 100ft plunge into the Tamar by his harness.
He eventually managed to pull himself to safety and cling on to remaining scaffolding as police and RNLI vessels arrived.
The Office of Rail Regulation has now launched a probe into the incident, which happened at around 1.45pm yesterday.
Families enjoying the sun in Saltash and customers at The Union Inn were among those to watch the drama unfold.
Vicky Wells, 26, said: "There were three guys on the end doing some angle-grinding or something when one of the metal ladders just went and ended up in the water. The bloke was just dangling there. He was scrambling around and eventually pulled himself back up."
Another onlooker added: "It's just lucky there wasn't a boat going underneath at the time."
The accident happened as contractor Network Scaffolding was carrying out work on the 152-year-old bridge. Owner NetworkRail is spending £10million on strengthening, refurbishing and repainting Isambard Kingdom Brunel's landmark.
The worker's father, senior scaffolding instructor Steve Taylor, said: "It was just a minor incident with something falling into the river. He's tried to grab hold of it and lost his grip.
"He had his harness on, as we always do, but he was quite shaken up. The best thing you can do is try to forget about it and get back up there."
An Office of Rail Regulation spokeswoman said: "We are aware of the incident and we are investigating."
Eyewitnesses said part of an access platform appeared to collapse as crews worked on the iconic structure.
They watched in horror as 27-year-old Si Taylor was left hanging mid-air, saved from a 100ft plunge into the Tamar by his harness.
He eventually managed to pull himself to safety and cling on to remaining scaffolding as police and RNLI vessels arrived.
The Office of Rail Regulation has now launched a probe into the incident, which happened at around 1.45pm yesterday.
Families enjoying the sun in Saltash and customers at The Union Inn were among those to watch the drama unfold.
Vicky Wells, 26, said: "There were three guys on the end doing some angle-grinding or something when one of the metal ladders just went and ended up in the water. The bloke was just dangling there. He was scrambling around and eventually pulled himself back up."
Another onlooker added: "It's just lucky there wasn't a boat going underneath at the time."
The accident happened as contractor Network Scaffolding was carrying out work on the 152-year-old bridge. Owner NetworkRail is spending £10million on strengthening, refurbishing and repainting Isambard Kingdom Brunel's landmark.
The worker's father, senior scaffolding instructor Steve Taylor, said: "It was just a minor incident with something falling into the river. He's tried to grab hold of it and lost his grip.
"He had his harness on, as we always do, but he was quite shaken up. The best thing you can do is try to forget about it and get back up there."
An Office of Rail Regulation spokeswoman said: "We are aware of the incident and we are investigating."
