The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Workman’s lorry death
Accident: Police and Health and Safety Executive investigate circumstances
A worker has died after being struck by a lorry while he was working on a stretch of rural roadworks.
The lorry involved is believed to have been involved in the roadworks as well. The tragedy is Orkney’s third within just a few days after two men died when they fell into the sea.
A road worker has died after being hit by a lorry on Orkney.
The man was named locally as Keith Johnston of Dounby, west mainland.
He was killed on the A986 Dounby to Twatt road in a collision at about 10.10am yesterday.
It is understood that Mr Johnston, who was in his 50s, was working in a stretch of roadworks at the time.
The lorry in the collision is believed to have been involved in the roadworks as well.
“We can confirm, sadly, that the male pedestrian died at the scene of the incident”
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) confirmed it has been made aware of the death as it happened in a workplace and they will investigate with police.
The road remained closed last night as officers worked at the scene.
The crash is the third tragic death in the islands in a few days, after two men were killed in separate incidents after falling into the sea.
Police confirmed that the road would remain closed for some time to allow an investigation to take place.
A spokeswoman said: “Police were called at 10.10am today to attend a serious collision involving a pedestrian and a truck.
“We can confirm that sadly, the male pedestrian died at the scene.
“Next of kin have been made aware.
“The road will remain closed until the collision investigation has been completed.”
Specialist crash investigators from the north’s divisional road policing unit travel from their base in Dingwall to crash scenes in the islands.
A spokeswoman for the Health and Safety Executive confirmed that the agency has been informed and is now investigating with police.
It is the third tragedy in the islands in just four days.
On Monday a 23-year-old man died after falling from cliffs at Yesnaby on the west coast.
He was a crew member with an Edinburgh-based company, guiding a minibus group on a tour of the Highlands and islands.
A 39-year-old man was also recovered from the water in Kirkwall Harbour on Sunday.
He is understood to have been a Polish national visiting the islands.
Police have confirmed that neither of these deaths was thought to have been suspicious.
Last night, the man who died at Yesnaby was named as Jamie Shannon, 23, from the Stirling area.
Police said inquiries continue into his death, “however there are no suspicious circumstances”.
A spokesman added: “Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Jamie at this very sad time.”