HS2 worker in his 70s dies after suffering cardiac arrest while working on rail link site near Birmingham ‘in first fatality’ during construction
- HS2 contractor, in his 70s, was discovered in cardiac arrest at the site in Solihull
- The man’s death is thought to be the first fatality of the rail link’s construction
An HS2 worker in his 70s has died after suffering cardiac arrest while working on the rail link site near Birmingham.
In what is thought to be the first fatality during the rail link’s construction, the contractor was found in cardiac arrest at the scene on Middle Bickenhill Lane, Solihull at around 4pm yesterday.
The ambulance service said the man was in a ‘serious condition’ when paramedics attended the scene. He was airlifted to University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire but was pronounced dead a short time later.
An HS2 Ltd spokesperson said: ‘We are deeply saddened to confirm that an employee working for a company in the supply chain of HS2’s contractor Balfour Beatty VINCI died today following an incident on site near Marston Green on Thursday.
A HS2 worker has died near Birmingham after suffering a cardiac arrest while working
‘Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues at this very sad time.
‘We are working with our partner and the relevant authorities to understand the cause of this incident.’
A West Midlands Fire Service spokesman said: ‘We had a call at 4.58pm on Thursday, a request to assist the ambulance service in Middle Bickenhill Lane.
‘We sent a 4×4 brigade response vehicle and a fire engine from Sheldon and Hay Mills.
The contractor, in his 70s, was discovered in cardiac arrest at the scene on Middle Bickenhill Lane, Solihull at 4.09pm yesterday
‘The incident involved a man believed to be in his early 70s in cardiac arrest.
‘Crews were required to assist ambulance staff in carrying the man to the air ambulance.’
HS2 is an 170-mile high-speed railway that is currently under construction from London to Crewe, Cheshire.
It is the UK’s flagship transport ‘levelling up project’ which will link the capital to the north west of England.
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