Council worker dies after being hit by pole

A council worker died yesterday after he was struck by a falling pole.

Gardaí and the Health and Safety Authority have launched separate investigations into the circumstances surrounding the freak accident near Douglas in Cork.

The man was 46 and from Aghabullogue, Co Cork.

A general operative with Cork County Council, he was working on a council-owned water services site just off Carr’s Hill, near the Vicarage housing estate, when the accident occurred just before 3pm.

It is believed he was among a group of workers who were clearing ditches. A mechanical digger may have accidentally struck a pole on the boundary of the compound. The pole fell on the man, causing extensive head and crush injuries.

Shocked colleagues alerted the emergency services and the man was rushed by ambulance to Cork University Hospital, where he died last night.

Cork County Council said it was “deeply shocked and distressed” by the fatal accident. “The council extends its sincere sympathy to the wife and family of its valued employee and colleague and will be offering whatever support it can in these tragic circumstances.”

The council will also carry out an investigation.