Didcot A recovery operation likely to take many weeks

Search for missing workers continues as experts seek to understand what caused building collapse

TWO weeks on from the partial collapse of a building at Didcot A Power Station, emergency services are continuing to work closely together in an effort to find three missing workers, whilst ensuring the safety of everyone involved in the recovery operation at the site.

Part of the 10-storey boiler house at the decommissioned power station collapsed unexpectedly on 23 February as it was being prepared for demolition by renowned specialists Coleman and Company, leaving a highly unstable pile of metal and rubble up to 30ft high.

One person died in the incident, three are still missing, presumed dead, and five required hospital treatment. Around 50 others were treated for dust inhalation and minor injuries at the scene.

Scott Chilton, Assistant Chief Constable with Thames Valley Police, said: ‘The recovery of the bodies and site investigation will be a very complex operation and I envisage it will be many, many weeks before it is completed.

‘I know that this makes it particularly difficult for the families involved as they await the recovery of their loved ones. Our priority remains to return them to their families and we continue to support the families as needed.’

Peter Baker, Chief Inspector of Construction at the HSE, said: ‘From the first day, the HSE has been working alongside the police, fire and rescue services, providing technical advice and support to the initial response and the recovery phase of the operation.’

He added: ‘We must also seek to understand what caused this incident, but given the sheer scale and complexity of the scene we’re looking at, this may take some time.

‘A joint investigation by the HSE and Thames Valley Police is under way, under the work-related deaths protocol, and everyone is working very hard to identify the cause as quickly as possible, and what lessons can be learned to prevent such a tragedy happening again.’

In a statement, Coleman and Company said: ‘All our hearts go out to the family and friends of those who have died and are still, tragically, missing. At this time, our overriding priority is to support those families affected by this terrible incident.’