NEWS UPDATE – MAJOR INCIDENT THIS EVENING AT LLANELLI’S NORTHUMBERLAND SEWAGE PUMPING STATION

NEWS UPDATE

MAJOR INCIDENT THIS EVENING AT LLANELLI’S NORTHUMBERLAND SEWAGE PUMPING STATION

The West Wales Chronicle has this evening (March 19) received several reports of an incident that has taken place at the Northumberland Sewage Pumping Station located in the New Dock area of Llanelli, operated by Dwr Cymru Welsh Water/Principal Contractor Morgan Sindall.

When we arrived on scene and just outside the construction site at approximately 19.30pm, several emergency services were in attendance dealing with what is believed to be a person or perhaps people trapped underneath part of a collapsed crane. Multiple agencies/emergency services were visible and when we approached, gates had been closed to members of the general public including ourselves.

An eyewitness claimed initially that she believed there were eight people trapped underground and that she’d been out feeding the birds just on the outskirts of the building site when she’d witnessed part of the crane collapse with earth plummeting onto several of the construction workers.

The witness also claims that she heard an almighty bang followed by a series of cries for help and that it was just awful to hear. She stated that the incident had taken place just after 17.30pm this evening. Many people chose to go live via social media outlet Facebook.

Mid & West Wales Fire & Rescue Service, Dyfed-Powys Police, Morgan Sindall, Dwr Cymru and the Welsh Ambulance Service have all been contacted for an official statement as to what has actually occurred this evening and to give the general public factual first-hand insight. Whatever has taken place is believed to be extremely serious.

The scene which included many bystanders seems to be quieter than it was as we approach 8.50pm. It is believed that at least one person has been injured and conveyed to hospital for treatment.

More to follow as we receive official statements.

Updated:

A Welsh Water spokesperson said:

“We are aware of the incident involving one of our contractors which happened at Nothumberland Road in Llanelli late this afternoon.

“Emergency services were immediately called to site and the individual was taken to hospital for assessment.

“We will work with our contractor and the emergency services to fully investigate the cause of the incident”.