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Construction worker dies after wall collapse at Jewellery Quarter building

Health and safety investigators will be examining the cause of the collapse.

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A major investigation has been launched after the man's death

A construction worker has died after a wall collapsed at a building site prompting a major investigation.

The Heath and Safety Executive is involved the investigation into the collapse in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter.

Emergency services were called to a courtyard at the building, in Vittoria Street, at around 5.40pm on Wednesday.

Emergency services attended the scene of the wall collapse at the Jewellery Quarter

A 49-year-old man, from London, was found trapped under a "significant amount of rubble", said West Midlands Police.

He was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later.

A second man was taken to Sandwell Hospital for further assessment and a third man was cared for at the scene.

Specialist crews attend the scene

Specialist ambulance crews, including those from the Midlands Air Ambulance, worked with firefighters in the aftermath of the collapse.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival, ambulance staff were faced with the aftermath of a wall collapse.

“Tragically, one man was confirmed dead at the scene.”

Heath and Safety investigators will examine the scene

A Health and Safety Executive spokesman said: “We are aware of the incident and are assisting a police-led investigation.”

The Urban Search and Rescue dog, Cara, was used to search the building site.

The Urban Search and Rescue dog, Cara, is deployed into the building collapse in Vittoria Street in The Jewellery Quarter

West Midlands Police Force Incident Manager, Chief Inspector Dave Keen, said: “Attempts were made by paramedics to resuscitate the man but there was nothing that could be done to save him.

“We have made contact with his family and they are being supported by police officers.

Emergency services arrived at the scene at around 5.40pm

“This was a significant wall collapse which has potentially destabilised other parts of the building and structural surveys will be carried out in due course.

“The road was closed to allow emergency services to access the scene but has since re-opened; there is not considered to be any risk to the wider public and the wall collapse was contained within a courtyard area.”

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