Five African workers are crushed to death as a 20ft high wall holding tonnes of scrap metal
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| Pictured centre, Manka Sawo who knew all five of the victims and is a friend of the man in hospital |
Five African workers were crushed to death in a tragic accident after a 20ft high concrete wall holding tonnes of metal collapsed at a recycling plant in Birmingham this morning.
The men, who were Spanish citizens originating from Gambia, were working at the site when the structure gave way at Hawkeswood Metal, in the Nechells area of Birmingham, at 8.45am.
Paramedics desperately tried to free the men, including one who had suffered a heart attack, but all were confirmed dead at the scene.
Another man has been taken to nearby Heartlands Hospital with serious leg injuries.
Speaking at the scene, Manka Sawo, a friend of the victim who survived, said: 'I received a call earlier saying my friend was injured.
'He has only got a broken leg, otherwise he's fine.
'They are all from Spain, but they are originally from Gambia.
'They live around this area. I've asked the police for more information, but they've just said they're securing the area now.'
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: 'On arrival, ambulance crews found a wall that had collapsed.
'Sadly, there was nothing that could be done to save the five men who had been working next to it.
'A sixth man was partially trapped by the falling concrete but had managed to get out from the rubble himself.
'He was treated at the scene by ambulance staff and the doctor from the air ambulance for a broken leg before he was taken to Heartlands Hospital for further treatment.'
An investigation into what happened is now underway. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has been notified and are assisting officers at the scene.
Detective Superintendent Mark Payne, said: 'We are still in the very early stages of this investigation to determine exactly what happened this morning.
'Sadly five people have lost their lives and we have several teams of specialist officers supporting their families at this time.
'This has been a very traumatic incident for those who were at the site this morning and we will continue to work alongside the HSE and the other emergency services at the scene.'
West Midlands Fire Service has said it is still unsure why the large concrete structure, which also contained metal, suddenly collapsed.
The rubble remains unstable and a special technical rescue unit is working at the scene with firefighters expecting their operation to take several hours.
The scene has been described as an 'extremely challenging' situation by the crews on the ground, who are using cutting equipment to search the collapsed structure.
Assistant Chief Fire Officer Gary Taylor said: 'Once the police have finished their initial examination of the scene, our absolute priority will be to ensure that the bodies of those who have lost their lives are recovered in the most timely and safe way possible, and with the utmost dignity and respect.
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