Joiner drags himself to safety after 20ft plunge
A JOINER who suffered multiple injuries when he plunged 20ft down a manhole on a South Yorkshire building site had to drag himself out when his cries went unheard.
Luke Ward, aged 19, was working on the site of a B&Q store in Parkgate, Rotherham, when he stepped on a piece of plywood covering a manhole above a sewer.
He plummeted into the void and hit a series of metal steps before landing on a concrete platform 20ft below.
Luke said he shouted for help but no one could hear him, and he eventually dragged himself out. He was spotted by colleagues as he collapsed trying to walk to the site office.
He was taken to Rotherham Hospital and treated for ligament and tendon damage to his ankle, a rib injury, neck strain and cuts. He was off work for five weeks and had to use crutches for a month.
Luke was employed by Duttons International Agency, working as a contractor for Henry Boot when the incident happened in June 2009. He has launched a claim for compensation against Henry Boot.
He said: "The manhole was not marked as a hazard and there was no way of telling it was there.
"Even though I'm back at work now, I can only work for short periods without causing pain in my ankle and my neck hurts most of the time. I was also diagnosed as having a soft tissue injury to my back which along with my ribs, causes pain when lifting heavy items."
Joanne Doherty, solicitor at Russell Jones & Walker which is representing Mr Ward, said: "This type of incident in the workplace is completely preventable if certain procedures are followed."
A spokesman for Henry Boot said: "We have no comment to make regarding this incident. The matter is in the hands of our insurers."
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