Workman using cherry picker fighting for life after 'van hits him while installing Christmas lights'

5 December 2023, 09:59

A workman using a cherry picker to put up a village's Christmas lights is fighting for his life after a van smashed into his vehicle

The 42-year-old was installing the lights in Swallownest, Rotherham, when a van hit the Iveco van loaded with a cherry-picker at the time.

He's since been taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

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South Yorkshire Police said a second man, aged 30, was also taken to hospital following the crash on Friday morning, which was called in shortly before 11pm.

However his injuries were not deemed to be life-threatening and he has since been discharged.

A 23-year-old man was arrested for driving while unfit through drink or drugs but he has been released on police bail pending further enquiries.

A spokesperson for the local council, Aston-Cum-Aughton Parish Council, sent their "thoughts and prayers" to the engineer and his family.

They said: "I can advise that the cherry picker installing the Christmas lights last night was hit by a suspected drunk driver. Two engineers were taken to hospital, one has now left hospital and the other is in a critical condition.

"The Parish Council send their thoughts and prayers to the injured gentleman, his family and colleagues."

Police meanwhile are appealing for information and are particularly keen to speak to any bus drivers who were in the area at the time.

Information can be given by calling South Yorkshire Police through 101 and quoting log number 1020 of December 1.