Belmullet construction worker remains in hospital after accident

Anton McNulty

THE construction worker who received very serious injuries when part of a trench in which he was working collapsed remains in hospital in Galway.
The incident occurred in Belmullet last Monday, January 23 and the male construction worker was airlifted to University College Hospital Galway suffering from chest and pelvic injuries.
While the injuries were not believed to be life threatening at the time, it is understood he suffered multiple broken ribs and underwent surgery for his injuries in UCHG.
The man, who is in his late 30s and from Doolough, near Geesala, remains in hospital in Galway and is expected to remain in there for the time being.
The incident happened at around 2pm on Monday afternoon, January 23, when the male was working on the pipeline for the Belmullet Sewerage Scheme at the bottom of American Street in Belmullet.
It is understood the worker was in a ten-foot-deep trench when part of the embankment collapsed on top of him. He was treated at the scene before the army air ambulance arrived to airlift him directly to UCHG.
Work on the site was suspended to allow for inspectors from the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) and gardaí to carry out an investigation into the accident. The site has since reopened.
A friend of the family told The Mayo News that while the injuries are not life threatening they are very serious and he is unlikely to be released from hospital in the near future.
Work on the new €9million Belmullet Sewerage Scheme has been ongoing since last July with Roadbridge and the EPS Group completing the work on behalf of Irish Water.