Police have launched an investigation into the death of a construction worker in central Glasgow yesterday.

Gareth Currie, 39, from Ballieston, died at Buchanan House, Port Dundas Road, at 12.20pm when the crane he was working on collapsed.

A second man, who was operating the crane, is in hospital with a head injury.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) will be collaborating with police in the probe.

And the Daily Record newspaper has reported that the cherry picker's boom has buckled before, leading to two workers having to be rescued by firefighters from the roof of a house in Midlothian one year ago.


But the owner of the Bizzochi 43 said it did not snap in the same place last time.

Donald Craig of Craig Services and Access, who rented the crane out, said: "There was a fault in boom number three – but that was boom number two. I really can't say anything, it's under investigation. We are so sorry about the man's fatality."

Mr Currie was employed by Glasgow firm One Stop Safety Systems Ltd.

The directors of the firm issued a statement offering sympathy to his family from everyone in the company.

They pledged to carry out an internal investigation and co-operate with the official probe, and said they hoped the injured crane operator would make a full recovery.

They said: "We will do everything in our power to make sure both families are given every possible assistance and support in the days ahead."

(NE)