Man dies after Tay Bridge fall

Wednesday 3.2.10

A workman has died after a fall on the Tay Bridge this morning (write Debbie Kerr and Graeme Ogston).
Network Rail said the man, who has not been named, was a contractor carrying out work on a section of the bridge.

It is understood the man fell several feet from a ladder on to a platform.

Emergency services, including police, the coastguard, lifeboat crews and fire services, went to the scene around 7am after receiving reports a man had been injured.

British Transport Police today said inquiries are continuing.

A spokesperson from Broughty Ferry lifeboat station said they were involved with efforts to safely remove the body.

“We received a call from the coastguard around 7.10am to tell us about a casualty on the Tay Bridge.

“Both boats were launched in response to the incident. We extracted the man from the bridge and he was lowered on to the lifeboat before being taken to the Broughty Ferry lifeboat station.”

Workers at the scene were too upset to comment.

Rail services on the bridge were not affected by the incident as the line remained open.

The man’s death came just hours after another contractor, working on the Forth Bridge, died after falling 150 feet from a ladder on to scaffolding. Police, paramedics and coastguard staff attended the scene last night, but the man died at the scene.

© All copyright D C Thomson & Co Ltd., 2010