Fatal telehandler incident in Netherlands

Two people have died in The Netherlands after the work basket attachment on a telehandler detached and fell to the ground.

Reports from local media said the accident took place at a vacant hotel in Zaltbommel, which is being converted in to a Van der Valk hotel, a well-known chain in the Netherlands.

News outlet Omroep Gelderland said there were three people in the basket erecting a banner to the top of the four-storey building when the basket disconnected from the boom. One of them, a 24-year-old, was seriously injured. The two workers who died were 51 and 53 years old. All three are from Someren in the south of country.

The three victims worked for Wines Bouwgroep, also based in Someren. According to Omroep Gelderland the Netherlands Ministry for Social Affairs and Employment is investigating the incident.