Man spiked by metal shard from tower

DEMOLITION of oldham College’s six-storey tower block stopped for a time when a shard of metal stabbed a passer-by on the college grounds.

A man involved in the college’s summer scheme was struck in the aarm by the 6in thin piece of metal. And it wasn’t his lucky week: it is understood he was already in a sling and had bruised ribs from a mountain bike accident.

The victim was taken to hospital for treatment while college principal Alun Francis stopped the work for a safety review.

“This was a highly unusual incident,” he said. Work now continues and takes place on the highest part of the tower before and after college opening times. The incident was reported to the Health & Safety Executive.