18.06.2007

Counterweight drops

A 63 year old workman was rushed to hospital from a Kier Northern jobsite at Newcastle's Hancock Museum yesterday after the counterweight of mobile crane was dropped as it was being de-riogged.

The man, from the Stockport area, was orignially reported as having suffered two broken legs but has since been reported as having dislocated ankles and lacerated knees, the accident happened at around 13:00 yesterday.

He was recovering at the city's General Hospital last night as investigators from the Health and Safety Executive arrived at the scene.

The Hancock museum is currently closed for a £26 million revamp that will see it reopen in 2009 as The Great North Museum, with new galleries, a purpose-built education suite, a special exhibitions gallery and a public library.