Investigation underway after five hospitalised at HS2 site

An investigation is underway after five construction workers needed medical treatment after being injured at the Mandeville Road vent shaft site in Northolt, West London. 

Skanska Costain STRABAG joint venture (SCS JV) is the main works civils contractor. 

Emergency services were called to the scene at around 10.30am, on Saturday (26 August), including an air ambulance. 

Four construction workers were able to get out of the shaft following the incident, but one had to be rescued by emergency services and sped immediately to hospital due to their injuries. 

All five were subsequently transferred to hospital for assessment. 

Four were discharged the same day after being treated for minor cuts and bruising. 

One remains in hospital and is receiving further treatment for a back injury.  

None of the injuries sustained are thought to be life changing.  

Inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are at the site today (Tuesday, 29 August).  

“We are working with our construction partner and the Health and Safety Executive to thoroughly investigate the cause of this incident,” an HS2 spokesperson said. “To facilitate this, all construction work at the site has stopped. 

“Four people involved in the incident have been discharged from hospital. One individual remains in hospital and is receiving treatment for a back injury. We wish them well with their recovery.” 

HSE inspector Gordon Nixon said: “We are working with all parties involved. At the moment, we are making initial enquiries. If there will be a full HSE investigation, this will take time.” 

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson added: “We were called at 09:46am on Saturday 26 August to reports of an incident at an HS2 construction site in Northolt.  

“We sent multiple resources to the scene, including ambulance crews, an incident response officer and members of our hazardous area response team (HART). We also dispatched London’s Air Ambulance.  

“We treated five patients at the scene before taking them to hospital as a priority.” 

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