A workman has died in an accident at the site of the new Queensferry Crossing this morning.
The Courier understands there was an incident just before 12pm at the north tower.
It is thought the incident on the £1.4 billion bridge, due to be completed by the end of this year, involved a crane.
Reports from the scene say one man has died and a second workman has been injured.
His injuries are minor.
It is understood a boat brought the fatally injured man, believed to be aged 60, to shore at Hawes Pier in South Queensferry where he was transferred to hospital by ambulance.
It is understood that the worker was killed after he was hit by the boom of a crane he was directing.
The Courier believes the worker suffered severe blood loss, he was taken off site but could not be resuscitated.
All work has been halted in the area.
A fleet of small boats is currently shuttling workers from all three towers safely to shore.
Boats are used in getting the huge workforce to and from their workplace in the Forth every day.
The Health and Safety Executive confirmed they were aware of the incident and were attending the scene, with the police, at this point.
A Police Scotland spokesman has confirmed one man had died in the incident while a second worker has suffered minor injuries.
The spokesman added: “We are currently working alongside our partner agencies to investigate an incident on the Queensferry Crossing bridge that resulted in a man sustaining fatal injuries.
“The call was received around 12.20pm on Thursday and sadly, the man was pronounced dead a short time later.
“Another man on the bridge also sustained minor injuries.
“Enquiries to establish the full circumstances surrounding this matter are ongoing.”
A spokesman for the project said: “We are deeply saddened to have to confirm there was an incident just before noon on April 28 on the Queensferry Crossing’s north tower in which a person has lost his life.
“One other person has been taken to hospital. All activity has been stopped at the north tower.
“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of our colleague and co-worker at this time.”
Harry Frew, the regional secretary for UCATT Scotland, said: “UCATT sends its sincere condolences to the family of the worker who has suffered this tragic accident.
“It is impossible to imagine how they must be feeling.”
He said it was particularly poignant as it happened on Workers’ Memorial Day.
This is the day when workers across the world come together to remember the dead and vow to fight for the living.
Mr Frew, added: “UCATT will be doing everything it can to find out how and why this accident occurred and to ensure that similar fatalities are prevented in the future.”
It is the first serious incident to occur at the bridge, which has been under construction since 2011 and is on scheduled to open this December.
