A tree surgeon has died after suffering a neck injury from falling from a tree while at work in Bermondsey, writes Kirsty Purnell…
Police confirmed that the man, believed to be in his thirties, had suffered a neck injury and died at the scene at about 12.45pm in Banyard Road, off Southwark Road.
His next of kin have been informed.
Eyewitnesses said the man was working on a tree in the grounds of Southwark Park School at the time of the incident but the News later learned that the tree was in the garden of a private residence.
Ola Adenji had just left work on the Old Kent Road when he stumbled upon the scene. “It was so scary. It felt like the emergency services took a long time to get here. He was unconscious hanging from the tree and I saw blood dripping off the chainsaw.”
A 57-year-old resident of Layard Square had been moving his car when he saw the accident unfolding.”I was horrified. He was lifeless. His friend [colleague] struggled to try and get him down and he was calling out his name. He was hanging like a ragdoll.”
Lorraine Huntley saw the tail end of the incident. “I saw the police, fire engine and ambulances and then to find out he was a a young bloke, it’s so sad. He was too young.”
Police said they were called to the scene at 11.11am.
London Air Ambulance left the scene at approximately 12.50pm. They confirmed to the News that their advanced trauma team had been dispatched.
The Met also confirmed that the accident had been referred to the Health and Safety Executive.