Investigation after woman falls in trench

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today

AN INVESTIGATION is ongoing into how a woman fell into a trench caused by roadworks on a busy Wokingham road.

The incident at lunchtime on Thursday, May 25, and saw emergency crews sent to Reading Road to help her.

She was riding a mobility scooter, and came across the works which are to install low-voltage electrical supplies, close to Wokingham Bowling Centre and the turning into Station Road.

Contractor Power On says these works are for a housing development project nearby.

It is not known how the injured person came to be in the ditch. There is no suggestion that Power On, which was working on behalf of The Electricity Network Compant Limited, or the injured person were at fault.

A spokesperson for Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “At 1.30pm on Thursday, May 25, we received reports that someone had fallen into a ditch on Reading Road in Wokingham.

“Crews from Wokingham and Wokingham Road Fire Stations were sent to the scene.

“Upon arrival, crews extricated a woman from the ditch and placed her in the care of South Central Ambulance Service.”

The woman was taken to hospital for treatment, and it is understood that she does not have serious injuries.

The contractor working on the pavement had made the trench so it could install the electrical connection. This was protected by barricades.

No work was being undertaken at the time of the incident, and no one was onsite. Power On said that while the barrier system was in place to prevent pedestrians from going into works, it was breached, and an investigation is underway to find out how this could have happened.

The company has pledged to work with all relevant parties, including Wokingham Borough Council and Thames Valley Police, to find out.

Neil Fitzsimons, managing director of Power On, said: “We would like to extend our best wishes for a speedy recovery to the lady involved. Incidents like this are extremely rare and we take them very seriously.

“Health and Safety is our utmost priority at all times. We are working with all relevant parties to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident, and we will report fully in due course.”

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SAYER Pamela Mary

Passed away at the Florence Nightingale Hospice on 11th May 2023 aged 67 years

HAPPY DAYS: The Chong family enjoy a picnic at the Children’s Fun Day at Wokingham on Saturday