Construction worker 'lucky to be alive' after falling from sixth floor of Irish hospital

A construction worker fell from the sixth floor of the new 96-bed block for University Hospital Limerick (UHL).

It is understood the man, aged in his 50s, was working on scaffolding when the incident occurred this Monday afternoon. The building is located beside the emergency department (ED).

The worker is “lucky to be alive”, according to one eye-witness, as he landed on a lift shaft after falling some 14 or 15 metres.

“He was on the sixth floor. It could have been a lot worse,” they said.

It is believed the man has suffered serious but non-life threatening injuries.

HSE Midwest has not responded to a media query at this time. The main contractor for the project have not responded to a media query at this time.

The new 9,800 square-metre block is being built over the existing emergency department and dialysis unit and will consist of 96 en-suite single rooms over four floors. 

A spokesperson for Limerick City and County Council said three units from Limerick City Fire and Rescue Service attended an incident at University Hospital Limerick this afternoon “to assist with the rescue of a worker who sustained injuries on a building site”.

“The person was extricated and handed over to the care of the HSE,” said the council spokesperson.

Paramedics from the National Ambulance Service gave immediate care and treatment to the injured man.

Limerick Fire and Rescue Service received the call-out at 12.56pm. Firefighters returned to their headquarters in Mulgrave Street at 2.25pm.

READ MORE | PICTURES: Inside the transformed 'dream project' charity home build on RTE Room to Improve