Gutter crash leaves man injured

7:39am Thursday 24th July 2003

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AN INVESTIGATION has been launched after cast iron guttering fell from a building and struck a passer-by.

Paul Moffatt, a Carnforth resident and captain of Silverdale Cricket Club, was using a cash dispenser when a section of guttering fell from the Halifax Building Society in Market Street.

Police, who attended with fire fighters, believe he sustained head and chest pains and was taken to hospital. He was still being treated this week.

Halifax spokesman Chris Sonne said the health and safety executive had been informed and an investigation launched.

“ There had been spell of weather where it was very warm, followed by heavy rain which may have contributed to the guttering coming away,” he said. “But until we have completed our own investigation we will not know that for sure. We are also liasing with Mr Moffatt about his injuries.” The incident has triggered urgent meetings between Carnforth businesses and the city council amid concern other buildings could be in a similar condition.

Building control manager Brian Fagan said further inspections this week had found some other Market Street properties ‘in a very serious state of disrepair and an imminent threat to the safety of the public’.

The footpath was closed off on Monday until further protective scaffolds could be put up. Work was also underway on ten properties identified as defective.

Mr Fagan is advising owners and occupiers of similar properties that their buildings should be regularly surveyed and repaired.

The incident happened just three weeks after a chimneystack collapsed onto Market Street.

A female pedestrian was struck by falling masonry while a large lump landed on a nearby white 4x4 jeep.

Alan Earl, assistant building control manager, blamed the chimneystack’s collapse on age, poor maintenance and perished mortar.

He said this week: “People need to be aware it is their responsibility to keep buildings maintained, particularly because of the risk of litigation.”