Lord of the Dance
'I'll never forget it' – Eyewitness tells of moment young Irishman died on London building site
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'I'll never forget it' – Eyewitness tells of moment young Irishman died on London building site

AN eyewitness has described the moment an Irishman was killed on a London building site earlier this week.

The man in his mid-20s from Co. Clare had been reported injured while working with concrete.

Metropolitan Police were called by the London Ambulance Service shortly before 2pm on Monday, February 13 to reports of a man seriously injured at the building site in Cranbrook Road, SW19.

Despite attempts by paramedics to revive the man, he was declared dead at the scene.

An eyewitness to the incident told the Wimbledon Guardian that it appeared a ball used to clean out concrete pumps had become wedged in the pipe, causing a build-up of pressure that resulted in the ball flying of the pump with force.

The witness, who called the ambulance, said the ball hit the young man in the head, throwing him across the road.

He said: “There was big bang. It was a huge noise, it sounded like Concorde.

“This ball came flying out of this truck. It hit him straight in the head and lifted him off the ground. It was awful.

“It looked like a freak accident.

“It was instant, I’m sure he didn’t feel it.

“I will never forget it. It was horrendous. I will never forget it for as long as I live," the witness added.

Police have said his next of kin have been informed and the Health and Safety Executive have been informed.

They added that enquires into the incident are continuing.

The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs have said they are providing consular assistance.