11.09.2020

Scott Cornwall 1960 - 2020

We have received the sad news that crane operator Scott Cornwall, the longest serving employee at UK crane rental company Bernard Hunter Mobile Cranes, passed away on 7th September after a long illness. He was 59.

Cornwall joined Bernard Hunter in 1975, aged 15, straight from school and worked in the car spare parts department. Over the next four decades he progressed to the role of crane operator and was assigned the company’s first Liebherr crane in 1994. He was subsequently handed the keys to a series of the company’s flagship cranes with ever increasing lifting capacities including the 500 tonne Liebherr LTM 1500.

He worked on several landmark projects including the dismantling of the Queensferry Crossing in which he operated one of the tower cranes. He also shifted the famous cannon ‘Mon’s Meg’ as well as the Duke of Wellington statue at Edinburgh Castle and lifted a valuable Rolls Royce limousine onto the deck of the royal yacht Britannia in Leith Docks.
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Scott Cornwall

Born in Woodburn, he lived in Midlothian his entire life. With a passion for rugby he spent his playing days at Dalkeith Rugby Club where he earned the nicknamed ‘Tank’ and remained closely connected to the club right up to his death. He is survived by wife Hazel, son Ryan and daughter Kelly.

Bernard Hunter chairman Jim Rafferty said: “Scott initially moved from car spares to driving a Poclain TY45 scrap handling machine in our yard, before gaining his driving and HGV licenses. He also had every crane operator’s certificate under the sun. His hard work and dedication through his 40 year plus career cannot be underestimated. His contribution to the success of Bernard Hunter was immense. He will be sadly missed by all our staff, customers and suppliers.”

The funeral will be on Friday 18th of September at Mortonhall crematorium those who wish to pay their respect, in spite of the Covid-19 restrictions the cortege will pass the Dalkeith rugby club at 11:30 am.