The driver of a tipper lorry that hit overhead power cables at a Fenland quarry was remains in a serious condition in hospital.
The man in his forties was airlifted to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge following the incident at Block Fen Drove, Mepal off the A142 between Chatteris and Ely, at about 4pm yesterday.
Health and safety inspectors have launched an investigation into the accident which saw the man hurt when his Hankins Ltd lorry hit the power lines as it tipped up. He was working for contractors carrying out repairs to the road.
An eye witness described the moment the driver was set alight after his vehicle hit the power cables.
“The driver was outside the vehicle tipping the back up when it struck the cables,” said the eye witness.
“He was thrown back and we thought he was dead. He was on fire. The fire brigade and air ambulance arrived very quickly, within minutes.”
A spokesman for Magpas Air Ambulance said: “Our ambulance landed near the scene following a call to an incident where a man had been electrocuted by overhead cables.
“The Magpas doctor and paramedic assessed the man, in his 40s, who had suffered severe injuries.
“The patient was given advanced pain relief (A&E level specialist care) before being flown to Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, via the air ambulance.”
The spokesman added: “He was in a serious but stable condition on arrival at hospital.”
Other drivers were reportedly told to postpone any planned visits to the quarry this morning (Friday).
Fire crews from Ely and Chatteris attended the incident and firefighters pumped water from open water nearby to put of the fire and returned to their stations by 7.50pm.
A police spokesman this morning said they had no further information about the incident having reported it to the Health and Safety Executive.
A spokesman for the executive said they were awaiting details from inspectors assigned to the case.
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