Gardaí and the Health and Safety Authority have launched separate investigations into a fatal workplace accident at University College Cork where where a member of staff was killed on the college campus.
It is understood that the incident happened around 3pm today when staff were using a cherry picker to repair or replace lighting on the main avenue leading from the university gates on Western Road up to the university quadrangle.
It is believed that the man suffered serious head injuries when he was struck by the cherry picker as it was reversing and although the emergency services were called, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The man - who is understood to be in his 50s - was part of the university's estates and maintenance section and his work colleagues were reported to be deeply shocked at his death.
UCC later issued a statement confirming that an accident had occurred on the main campus in which a member of staff sustained fatal injuries, and said it was assisting the statutory bodies with their investigations into the accident..
"The university is deeply saddened by the accident and wishes to extend its sincere sympathy to the family of the staff member. UCC will offer its full support to the family of our deceased colleague and to members of staff, who are deeply shocked."
