Workers crushed to death by barn wall
● Two other injured men in hospital ● Air ambulance spotted hovering at site
Two workers have been killed after being crushed by stones at a farm in West Lothian.
The labourers were believed to have been rebuilding an old barn at the site in Whitecross, outside Linlithgow, when the incident occurred shortly after 10am yesterday.
Two other men were taken to hospital with serious, but non life -threatening injuries.
Police are investigating the circumstances leading up to the wall collapse and the Health and Safety Executive has been informed.
Two workers killed when a wall collapsed on a farm are believed to have been rebuilding an old barn.
The pair is thought to have been crushed by stones at the outbuildings in Whitecross, outside Linlithgow, shortly after 10am yesterday.
Two other men we re also found in the rubble and taken to hospital with serious, but non life-threatening injuries.
SNP Linlithgow and East Falkirk MP Martyn Day said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and those affected.
“The police have launched an inquiry and I’d urge anyone with relevant information to contact the authorities.”
Police and paramedics were scrambled to the farm, just off the A803 between Linlithgow and Falkirk, at 10:10am.
One of the injured men was taken by ambulance to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, while the other was airlifted to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.
There are road closures in place and the air ambulance was spotted hovering above the area.
Police are investigating the circumstances leading up to the wall collapse and the Health and Safety Executive have been informed.
Residents took to social media to express their shock at the news. Jenny Hamilton posted: “So sad, thoughts with the families.”
And Sarah Jane MCLaren added :“Horrifically sad. Thoughts are with those involved and also their friends, family and loved ones.”
Five people were killed last year in the agricultural industry in Scotland, according to figures released in November.
Statistics from the Health and Safety Executive revealed a total of 33 people died across Britain in the 12 months to the end of March.
The incidents in Scotland included a 76-year-old farmer who was crushed by a bull.
A 62- year-old farmer drowned while ten ding to oysters being grow non the seabed, while a farm worker was crushed beneath a tractor trailer as he carried out repairs.
But yesterday’ s dead and injured workers are under - stood to have been labourers and joiners called in to work on the building rather than farmers.
Chief Inspector Dam ian Armstrong, Local Area Commander for Falkirk, said: “My thoughts and sympathies are with the families of those affected by this incident and a multi-agency inquiry at the farm is ongoing.
“If anyone believes they have any relevant information that may be of use to this investigation, then please come forward.”
Firefighters were also called to the scene yesterday to help the rescue effort.
A fire service spokeswoman said: “The S cottish Fire and Rescue Ser vice responded at 10:11am on Monday 6 May with emergency service partners to a farm in the Falkirk area following reports of a collapsed wall.
“Operations Control mobilised a number of fire appliances to the Whitecross area.”