Worker is killed in wind farm horror
A young worker died when he became entangled in his safety harness inside a turbine at a remote wind farm.
It is understood that Colin Sinclair, 27, was working at height but did not fall.
Police were called to the Causeymire Wind Farm, south of Spittal, near the A9, in Caithness, after staff raised the alarm yesterday morning.
Emergency services were told that Mr Sinclair was unconscious and stuck inside one of the 260ft turbines.
Three fire engines were sent to the wind farm but left the scene when it was confirmed the contractor, from nearby Thurso, had died at 10.25am.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has been notified. Northern Constabulary said a report would be sent to the procurator fiscal.
A spokeswoman for RWE npower, which owns the 24-turbine wind farm, said: “Our thoughts at this time are very much with the individual’s family.
“The cause of the incident is being investigated by RWE npower renewables and we will be fully co-operating with the HSE.”
A family friend said: “Colin was a popular guy and in a small place like Thurso most people knew him and are pretty upset at what has happened. His parents are shattered.”
Causeymire came on stream in 2004 and generates enough energy for 25,000 homes.
According to latest figures, 39 maintainance workers have been killed in the UK wind farm industry since the mid-Seventies.
Some 14 members of the public were also killed in a variety of accidents including one when a driver was crushed to death by a turbine transporter.
By Brian Swanson
17 September 2009
Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
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