Halstead: Man Dies In Crane Fall

18 June 2012, 05:39 | Updated: 18 June 2012, 05:41

A man has died after falling 20ft from a crane while working on a farm in Pebmarsh near Halstead.

The man, in his early 50s, died from head injuries after falling 20ft from a cherry picker - a hydraulic crane with a railed platform - while doing planned engineering work at Hunts Hall farm in Pebmarsh, Essex, on Thursday, according to sources.

He was an employee of power firm UK Power Networks.

A company spokesman said it was launching an investigation into the accident.

The spokesman said: "We offer our heartfelt condolences to our employee's family and friends for their terrible loss.

"Health and safety is UK Power Networks' top priority and we will make sure that any lessons are learned from this tragic event.

"UK Power Networks will take any appropriate action from the findings to ensure the safety of its employees.''

He added that the firm was co-operating fully with the authorities.

The company covers London, the East of England and southeast England.

An East of England Ambulance Service spokeswoman said paramedics were called to the scene at about 12.10pm on Thursday following reports that a man had been injured in a fall.

The spokeswoman added that the man died from head injuries at the scene.