Shopping centre worker injured

9:50am Friday 29th August 2008

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A construction worker is fighting for his life after an industrial accident in Witney which brought the town centre to a halt this morning.

The man, in his 30s, was trapped on the Marriotts Close development off Welch Way at around 8.50am.

It is believed an industrial cherry-picker toppled over and the construction worker was trapped beneath steel around his neck.

He had to be resuscitated by paramedics at the scene and has now been taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital in a critical condition.

Police closed Welch Way and the High Street to allow the air ambulance to land.

After 10 minutes of looking for a safe place to land it hit the ground at the junction of the two roads.

The construction worker was taken out of the building site to the waiting helicopter on a stretcher and flown to hospital at around 9.50pm.

The High Street has now reopened but Welch Way remains closed to cars and pedestrians.

The area is expected to be shut to traffic for the rest of the morning as police launch an investigation.

The incident happened at a building site for a new shopping centre.

The Health and Safety Executive is on its way to the scene.

Thames Valley Police have not been able to comment on the incident or road closures.