Crossrail: Worker Dies From Head Injuries

A contractor has died while working on the £14.8bn Crossrail project in central London.

The 43-year-old man suffered fatal head injuries early on Friday at a new crossover tunnel between two tunnels that had already been constructed by boring machines near Holborn.

He was spraying concrete on to excavated ground when a piece of concrete from the ceiling of the tunnel fell and hit him.

Crossrail has suspended work in the area near the accident.

A Crossrail spokesman 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 next of kin are being informed.

"Crossrail has suspended all work at Fisher Street and associated works across the project. A full and thorough investigation into the tragic incident is being undertaken."

Unite regional officer Guy Langston said: "Our deepest condolences go out to the family of the worker who has been tragically killed today.

"Unite is particularly concerned about health and safety at the site because this is not the first serious incident. In December 2012, a worker sustained horrific burns when he cut through a cable."

Crossrail is Europe's largest infrastructure project.

It stretches from Maidenhead to Shenfield and will cover more than 60 miles of track, including 13 miles of new twin-bore tunnels and nine new stations.

Up to 24 trains per hour will operate in the central section between Paddington and Whitechapel during peak periods, with each train able to carry up to 1,500 passengers.

An estimated 200 million people will travel on Crossrail each year.

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