A 45-year-old man has died after falling about 30 feet into an empty silo at a factory in Speke, Liverpool, Merseyside Police said.
Officers and other emergency services were called to a factory on Woodend Avenue at around 7.20pm on Monday, where the man was pronounced dead at the scene. "We can confirm that a 45-year-old man has died following an industrial incident in Speke last night (Monday 8 September)," the force said. "An investigation into the circumstances of his death will be carried out by detectives and the Health and Safety Executive. The man’s next-of-kin have been informed."
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said two fire engines and its search and rescue team attended the scene, with crews arriving within minutes. A service spokesperson said: "Crews were alerted at 7.08pm and on scene at 7.13pm, with two fire engines and the search and rescue team in attendance. Merseyside Police and North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) [were] also in attendance. Crews arrived to find a casualty had fallen approximately 30 feet into an empty silo."
A hazardous response crew entered the building to test for unusual activity, and gas readings indicated normal levels, fire service personnel said. A substantial police cordon was deployed while officers managed the scene and carried out initial enquiries.
Detectives are continuing inquiries into the circumstances of the death and the Health and Safety Executive was due to attend the site on Tuesday morning to assist. Silos at industrial sites are typically used for storing bulk materials such as grain, coal or cement; an empty silo may present different hazards from one that is full, investigators noted in preliminary comments.
The force asked anyone with relevant information to contact police. The incident is being treated as an industrial death while enquiries are ongoing, and no further details have been released pending notification of next of kin and the outcome of the investigation.