Islington Tribune - by PETER GRUNER Published: 28 September 2007
Workman impaled on railings in 40ft fall
A TREE surgeon is lucky to be alive after falling 40ft and impaling himself on an iron railing on Tuesday.
The man was working in Wilton Square, off New North Road, Islington, with a team of council tree surgeons when he plunged from an overhanging branch onto the railing.
A resident who witnessed the accident said: “It was absolutely horrific. I heard a scream and went outside to see the man stuck on the railing, gushing blood. “He was moaning in pain and the other workmen were talking to him, trying to comfort him for 15 minutes before the emergency services turned up. It is a miracle – the railing seemed to miss everything vital.”
The man remained conscious throughout and was this week in the Royal London Hospital, in Whitechapel.
Councillor Ruth Polling, Lib Dem executive member for leisure and equalities, said: “This looks like a freak accident. We are assisting the Health and Safety Executive with their investigation.”