Contractor and Expanded Structures will be prosecuted following serious accident at hospital site in Newcastle

Laing O’Rourke is facing a court appearance after a worker was seriously injured after a platform broke on a site in Newcastle.

Edinburgh-based Steve McColgan was working on the Royal Victoria Infirmary hospital in Newcastle upon Tyne on 20 October 2006 when part of a working platform broke away.

McColgan was stood on the platform as it broke and he consequently fell 21m, suffering serious multiple injuries to his head and body.

Laing O’Rourke and subcontractor Expanded Structures Limited will now be prosecuted for breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act.

Both have pleaded guilty and will appear in Newcastle upon Tyne crown court for sentencing on Tuesday, 24 August at 2pm.