Emergency services: the Fire Brigade, ambulance and police were on hand at East Croydon just before 1pm today to deal with an emergency at the former City Link House

PHOTOSTORY EXCLUSIVE
Pictures by DAVID WHITE

East Croydon was lit up with blue lights at lunchtime today, responding to reports that a site worker had fallen off an inner lift on a building site on Addiscombe Road, opposite landmark No1 Croydon.

“We’re getting him out,”, according to a police officer at the scene.

Scaffolding and plastic sheeting has recently gone up across what used to be known as City Link House and Tolley House, former office buildings which have been acquired by property developers to be turned into 14- and 28-storey housing blocks.

The extensive scaffolding is for the demolition and enabling works (including basement excavation) of the old structure.

It was just before noon when a fire engine with a tall crane was deployed to enable rescue workers to try to reach the stricken worker.

According to the London Fire Brigade, as well as a fire engine from Woodside, the scene was attended by firefighters from Forest Hill, who brought their 32-metre turntable ladder.

Long tailbacks soon built up on the usually busy road, which serves East Croydon’s bus station.

It was not long before buses were put on diversion to avoid the incident, as emergency workers blocked off the main road.

Careful does it: rescue workers approached the accident scene with great care

The road closure and diversions were beginning to be removed by 1.30pm.

The ambulance was first called at 11.25am, and the first paramedic was on the scene in four minutes.

“We treated a man for injuries and took him to a major trauma centre as a priority,” London Ambulance Service told Inside Croydon.