Five people have died and one is seriously injured following an incident at a recycling plant in Birmingham.
Emergency services were called to Hawkeswood Metal in the Neachells area of the city shortly after 8:45am, following reports a wall had collapsed.
Five men were pronounced dead at the scene. Another man is currently been treated in hospital for serious leg injuries.
An investigation has been launched into the circumstances of the incident.
Detective Superintendent Mark Payne, from Westmidlands Police said: “On arrival, ambulance crews found a wall that had collapsed. Sadly, there was nothing that could be done to save the five men who had been working next to it. We are still in the very early stages of this investigation to determine exactly what happened this morning.
“Sadly five people have lost their lives and we have several teams of specialist officers supporting their families at this time.
“This has been a very traumatic incident for those who were at the site this morning and we will continue to work alongside the HSE and the other emergency services at the scene.”
A spokesperson for West Midlands Ambulance Service told Birmingham Mail the sixth man had become trapped by falling concrete, but managed to free himself from the rubble.
They said: "On arrival, ambulance crews found a wall that had collapsed. Sadly, there was nothing that could be done to save the five men who had been working next to it. A sixth man was partially trapped by the falling concrete but had managed to get out from the rubble himself.
"He was treated at the scene by ambulance staff and the doctor from the air ambulance for a broken leg before he was taken to Heartlands Hospital for further treatment."
More to follow
