May 23, 2007
U.K.
U.K.
A 19-year-old construction worker has been killed after falling 100ft down the shaft of a windfarm turbine.
The worker, thought to be Brazilian, was inside the turbine which was under construction at the Earlsburn windfarm in Touch Hills, near Stirling.
The accident happened at about 1730 BST on Tuesday.
It is understood he was killed instantly and firefighters later removed his body. The Health and Safety Executive are investigating.
A spokesman said a report would be submitted to the procurator fiscal, who would decide whether a fatal accident inquiry or any criminal charges should follow.
Under construction
The spokesman said: “The wind turbine was under construction at the time, and he was working on the inside of the turbine.
“It appears he fell about 100ft from somewhere near the top.
“We have had inspectors at the scene, and our investigation has started into the cause.”
Work on the £27m windfarm, being built by developers RDC Scotland, began earlier this year.
When planning permission was granted in 2004, RDC said the 14-turbine windfarm would be capable of generating enough electricity for half the homes in Stirlingshire – cutting carbon dioxide emissions in the area by 1.6 million tonnes over its planned 25 year lifetime.
The development raised a storm of protest from people in nearby Denny, who claimed they had not been consulted.
BBC News
23 May 2007
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/05/23/man-dies-after-100ft-turbine-fall/