Worker plunged 60ft down shaft of turbine
A MAN held the hand of a dying worker who had fallen 60ft down a wind turbine shaft, a fatal accident inquiry heard yesterday.
Michael Bonner comforted Basilio Brazao, 19, after he fell during construction of the Earlsburn wind farm near Fintry, Stirlingshire.
He told a fatal accident inquiry at Stirling Sheriff Court he saw the young man lying near a ladder with blood coming from his head.
Depute fiscal Gavin Callaghan asked: ‘Was Mr Brazao conscious?’
Mr Bonner, 31, replied: ‘I would say so, yes. He was still alive at the time.’
The court heard a statement Mr Bonner had given to Health and Safety Executive investigators following the incident on May 22, 2007.
He said: ‘I could see he had a harness but I’m not sure if he had a hard hat. He didn’t have a glove on his left hand because I was holding that while I was trying to help him, but he did have boots. I don’t recall his harness being clipped on to anything.’
Mr Brazao was Portuguese South African, but lived in Dunbar, East Lothian. At the time of the accident he was working for Turbine Erection Cabling Services, subcontracted by turbine manufacturer Nordex UK.
In 2012, Nordex was fined £26,000 after admitting health and safety breaches, but the prosecution said Mr Brasao’s death was not caused by or connected to the breaches.
Last night, Mr Brazao’s mother Karen, 47, said: ‘I am happy to be able to attend the inquiry so we can finally get closure from this horrendous ordeal and justice for our son.’
The inquiry continues.