Update: Injured worker airlifted

10:30am 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 28-year-old man was trapped on the Marriotts Close development off Welch Way at about 8.50am.

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

He was resuscitated by paramedics at the scene and has been airlifted to the John Radcliffe Hospital in a critical condition.

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

The helicopter put down 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 about 9.50am.

The High Street has reopened.

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 the new Marriotts Close shopping centre.

Det Sgt Craig Kirby, of Witney police station, said: "We unable to provide further details at this very early stage; we have launched an initial investigation and are interviewing witnesses.

"Officials from the Health and Safety Executive are on route and further inquiries will be carried out jointly between the HSE and Thames Valley Police."