Inquiry hears of horror death on new Queensferry Crossing
AN ENGINEER has told an inquiry of his fear and “horror” after realising a co-worker had been hit by the jib of a crane which he was repairing.
John Cousin (L) was fatally injured on the Queensferry Crossing after a crane fell on him
Stewart Clark, 29, said that he was left in so much shock colleagues had to help him from the deck of the then partly-completed Queensferry Crossing over the Forth.
Victim, John Cousin, 62, sustained “unsurvivable injuries” after the steel jib of the broken-down 18-tonne Giraf track crane fell on him while Mr Clark was preparing to replace a leaking hydraulic hose.
Yesterday, the witness, who still suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the April 2016 accident, said he had just removed a pin securing the jib, in order to move it out of the way to get access to the hose, when the incident occurred.
Mr Clark told the Fatal Accident Inquiry, at Stirling Sheriff Court, that he had left a second pin, known as a pivot pin, in place, as he knew that if both pins were removed the jib would fall.
Queensferry Crossing over the Forth was opened to the public by the Queen in September
As I stood up, there was a white flash, and something hit me on the back of the head, then I heard metal hitting the ground
The witness said: “Me and John agreed that the jib needed out the way.
“As I went to my bag, I heard a noise.
“As I stood up, there was a white flash, and something hit me on the back of the head, then I heard metal hitting the ground.
“The next thing I remember is seeing Mr Cousin lying on the ground.
“There was blood coming out of his face. He was trying to speak but he couldn’t.”
The inquiry continues.