Large Govan shipyard crane snaps

The crane (second from left) snapped during routine operations

An 80 tonne crane at a Govan shipyard has snapped while carrying out routine operations.

BAE Systems confirmed that three employees were involved in the incident which happened at the company's site on the Clyde at about 0800 BST.

One man is being treated in hospital for minor injuries while two others were treated for shock.

The Health and Safety Executive is carrying out an investigation into the incident.

Tracey King, who lives across the river from the shipyard, witnessed the collapse.

"I just heard this massive noise which I initially thought was coming from inside this building," she said.

"Then I saw the crane collapsing. It just snapped in half."

Passed inspection

A spokeswoman for BAE Systems said the jib of the crane snapped while it was being lowered for routine operations.

She confirmed the crane had passed its annual statutory inspection in March.

The incident involved a crane operator and two shipwrights, one of whom went to hospital as a precaution. The other two men were treated at the scene.

The spokeswoman said: "The Health and Safety Executive was notified immediately and will investigate the incident with the full support of the business.

"At this time our priority is the safety and well-being of our employees and until the investigation has been completed it would be inappropriate to discuss the potential cause of the incident."

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