By Rob McLaren

THE WIFE of the man who collapsed after breathing toxic fumes at Brechin’s meat rendering plant spoke yesterday of her relief at her husband’s survival.

Charlie Anderson (53) collapsed while working at Sacone Environmental Ltd last Wednesday.

His wife Davina said he had since been transferred from Ninewells Hospital’s high dependency unit, and was now “out of the woods.”

“On Friday he was taken off the life support machine and moved from the high dependency unit to Ward 3,” she said.

“It was a great relief. He has had X-rays and a CT scan since he was admitted, and was having another X-ray on his lungs yesterday.

“He seems to be improving.”

Mrs Anderson said her husband did not remember anything about what happened last Wednesday.

She said, “He has dizzy spells, but he’s living—that’s the main thing.

“He is awfully sore on the back of his head, which he hit when he collapsed—there is a big lump there,” she added.

“He’s very emotional— laughing one minute and crying the next.

“The doctors think his memory of the day might come back, but they can’t guarantee it.”

Mrs Anderson also paid tribute to Harry Jamieson, the colleague who raised the alarm after discovering Mr Anderson lying unconscious on the ground.

“He would have been a goner if it hadn’t been for his workmate,” she said.

“Harry knew how long it took him to do that job.

“When Charlie hadn’t appeared, Harry went back and found him.

“His workmate’s been visiting every day and he keeps everyone at the plant informed of his progress.”

Mrs Anderson said she would continue visiting her husband in the Dundee hospital every day until he is discharged.

She said that their three daughters—Mary, Fiona and Karen—had been equally worried about their father.

“They were very concerned, especially during the first couple of days. Each day we didn’t expect him to come through the day, but he is out of the woods now,” Mrs Anderson said.

A spokeswoman for NHS Tayside said, “Mr Anderson’s condition continues to improve.”

Two other workers and a paramedic were kept in hospital overnight following the incident.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is continuing to lead the investigation into the incident.

A spokesman said, “We have carried out our on-site inspection at the plant and spoken to witnesses.

“We have carried out tests and looked at work procedures.

“We have still to interview the four witnesses who were taken to hospital, and are waiting for the results of the tests we have carried out.

“We will then write up a report and determine whether a report should be given to the procurator fiscal.

“This process is likely to take another few weeks.

“The company closed voluntarily after the incident and we have said to the company that they can restart their operations once there is equipment installed that can monitor the build up of gas.

“The company has been co- operating fully.”