HSE investigating after employee of Morgan Est subcontractor killed by 10m fall into storm drain

The Health and Safety Executive is investigating after a worker was killed last Thursday by falling down a manhole on a Morgan Est construction site in Macclesfield, Cheshire.

Peter Halligan, an employee of a Morgan Est subcontractor, fell 10m down into a storm drain while working on a storm-water holding tank at Lyme Green Business Park.

Paramedics climbed down to help 45-year-old Halligan, who is from Dovecote, Liverpool, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Morgan Est was carrying out clean water and waste water works on the site in London Road, Macclesfield, for United Utilities.

The contractor's safety team is working with the Health and Safety Executive to establish the cause of the accident.

A company spokesman told local press: “Safety is paramount at Morgan Est and we are greatly shocked and saddened that such a tragedy should have happened. Our thoughts are with those personally affected.”

An inquest was due to open yesterday into the death.