Dock worker dies after 120ft fall
A FELIXSTOWE dock worker plunged 120ft to his death today.The man, who has not been named, is thought to have only begun working at the Port of Felixstowe since the beginning of this month.
A FELIXSTOWE dock worker plunged 120ft to his death today.
The man, who has not been named, is thought to have only begun working at the Port of Felixstowe since the beginning of this month.
The accident happened at the dock's Trinity Terminal just before lunchtime.
Emergency services were summoned to the port shortly after 11.40am.
Paul Davey, spokesman for the Port of Felixstowe, confirmed the man was fatally injured at work today.
"I can confirm there has been a serious accident and there has been a death," said Mr Davey.
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"The Health and Safety Executive has been informed. Ship working at the terminal has been stopped. Counselling is being provided for staff.
"I am unable to give any further details until the family have been informed."
It is believed the victim, who is thought to have still been undergoing training at the dock, had fallen from a crane or its surround after going up with the driver.
The tragedy occurred as the crane was unloading or about to unload cargo from a ship at the dockside.
The shiploading area was sealed off to allow emergency services and investigators to carry out their work.
A spokesman for East Anglian Ambulance Service confirmed it had been called by the Dock Ambulance Service at 11.45am so it could inform Ipswich Hospital a seriously injured male was on his way.
He said: "We were called at 11.45am. A male had fallen 120ft. I don't know if it was from a crane or off the side of a ship. He was taken to Ipswich Hospital."
Meanwhile a spokeswoman for the Heath and Safety Executive confirmed an investigation had been launched into today's tragedy.
Two inspectors were on their way to Felixstowe this afternoon to begin their inquiry.
"We are aware (of the tragedy) and we are investigating," said the spokeswoman.
In October 2001 father-of-three and trainee Kevin Cuckow died at the port when he was hit a container.
The 32-year-old of Dover Road, Ipswich, had worked at the port for just two weeks and a day.
An inquest at Ipswich Crown Court heard that he was hit on the back of the head and suffered a fractured skull.
He was taken to Ipswich Hospital and placed in the intensive care ward but died later that day.
