A retired Blairgowrie man was plucked to safety from the wreckage of a forklift yesterday afternoon after work on his partially-built home went wrong.
Richard Halhead was clearing rubble with a Manitou forklift when the vehicle tipped over on an earth embankment, trapping him inside the cab.
Firefighters smashed the vehicle’s front window in order to lift him out of the cab. He was taken by ambulance to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee where he was kept in overnight.
He suffered head and back injuries that were not thought to be serious.
Neighbour Mrs McLaren, who owns the adjacent property to the one where the accident happened, said: “I am concerned about his health.
“I just hope he’s OK. We’re just very grateful that nothing serious happened.
“It’s up to him to tell you exactly what led to the accident.”
Emergency services, including police, fire and rescue and paramedics, were called to the building site on Newton Terrace, Blairgowrie, at around 12.40pm.
Two fire engines, crewed by nine firefighters, attended the scene.
A heavy rescue unit was initially called but turned back before arriving in Blairgowrie.
Mr Halhead was clearing rubble from earlier building work when the accident occurred.
The forklift had a large white sack attached to the forks on the front of the vehicle and appeared to be filled with debris.
The accident happened on a steep earth embankment between the two, large detached houses.
Mr Halhead’s property was partially built with the new house next door almost complete.
The damaged red Manitou forklift
lay on its side for most of yesterday afternoon before a small crowd gathered to watch a digger pull the damaged vehicle upright at around 5pm.
