Flowers near Juniper Crescent

CAMPAIGNERS are holding a vigil today(Friday) for a man killed while working on one of Camden’s biggest construction sites.

The Health and Safety Executive said it had launched a full probe with the Met Police following the tragedy at the Camden Goods Yard site in Juniper Crescent, Chalk Farm.

The New Journal understands the man was working for a grounds maintenance company sub-contracted by lead construction firm St George to Tarmac roads when he was crushed by a hydraulic machine next to an open public footpath.

Distraught colleagues watching on as a horrific scene played out behind a police cordon on Friday around 4.30pm described him as an experienced worker who was looking forward to playing football with his work pals at the weekend.

Steve Ballard, secretary of the London Hazards Centre constructions safety campaign group, said: “This wider picture with construction safety at the moment is absolutely desperate.

“We have organised so many vigils in recent years it has become painfully routine. And the thing that really wears people down is there is no prospect of things getting better. Nothing changes. People on work sites are expendable.”

Emergency vehicles on the day of the tragedy

Mr Ballard added: “The HSE consistently reported that a third of all workplace fatalities are construction workers. It is fairly rare for construction death on a site with union representation, although this is not always the case when it comes to sub-­contractors.” Unite said it was too early to comment on the specifics of the case but the union is understood to be sending a representative or statement to the vigil at midday on Friday.

A floral tribute, protected by two red safety cones, had been set up in the freshly laid road between the Berkeley Homes’ “sales and marketing suite” and the Juniper Crescent housing estate.

The massive project – an overhaul of land once home to Morrison’s supermarket – includes more than 400 private new- builds targeted at affluent home-owners and renters and another 203 homes classed as “affordable”.

Tenants warned that the death happened on a footpath widely used by hundreds of people living in the neighbouring estate, which is facing a separate regeneration scheme led by Riverside, formerly One Housing.

Abu Kibrya, who has lived in Juniper Crescent for 30 years, said: “Someone has died and I’m really sad for the person, and for his colleagues. You can’t imagine what they are feeling after seeing that. But you have to look at who is to blame. The bigger question is: why is this heavy machinery being brought into the public area while the footpath is open?

“That could have been any of us coming out of the estate. That’s the point we are all making. “Where is the council in this in the development? Are they checking that all regulations are being met? Do they care what Camden Goods Yard is doing? Where is our elected member of parliament? He’s touring the country.”

The Camden Goods Yard scheme includes 644 homes of which 203 will be affordable, a new “Morrison’s urban supermarket”, office and workspace for start-ups and light industrial workshops. There will also be a “new urban rooftop farm and restaurant”.

The scheme has contributed more than £10m towards community projects including the Pirate Castle and Castlehaven Community Association. Three hundred trees are being planted and three acres of public space is being including in the final plans, the Camden Goods Yard developer has said.

The New Journal contacted the grounds works maintenance firm contracted by St George on the site for comment but did not receive a response as of yesterday (Wednesday).

A spokesman for Centar, a company with machines at the site that day, said it was “supporting the Health and Safety Executive to help establish the circumstances of this incident”.

They added: “We will make no further comment while the investigation is ongoing. Our thoughts and sympathies are with the friends and family of the deceased.”

A St George spokesperson said: “A fatal accident occurred outside our site on May 24. Staff onsite rushed to help the victim but were unable to do so. Our deepest condolences go to the victim’s family and friends. We are assisting the police with their enquiries into the accident.”

A HSE spokesperson said: “We are aware of the incident and are jointly undertaking enquiries with the Metropolitan Police Service.”

The Met Police said: “Police and ambulance service were called at around 4.30pm on May 24 to Juniper Crescent, NW1, following an accident on a construction site. A man was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. Investigations are ongoing and the relevant authorities informed. Officers are supporting the man’s family. There has been no arrest.”

A Camden Council spokesperson said: “This is a very sad incident and our thoughts go out to all those that knew this person. The Health and Safety Executive are currently leading on investigations and we will continue to support them with this.”