Men plunge 20ft from cherry picker on to truck roof at race course

Two men have fallen from a cherry picker onto the roof of a truck at Hamilton Park Racecourse.

The two Racing TV camera operators fell from the aerial platform around 1.30pm on Tuesday.

Robbie Cotgrave and Kit Campbell were both seriously injured and taken to hospital, their employer said.

An eyewitness told STV News the incident took place by the course’s finish post when the men fell about 20ft.

Emergency services treated the injured men at the scene before one was taken to Wishaw General Hospital. The other continued to receive treatment at the racecourse before also being taken to hospital.

Emergency services attended Hamilton Park Racecourse on Tuesday afternoon. STV News

RaceTech, broadcast technical facilities provider, said a full investigation into the cause of the incident was underway.

A spokesperson for the company said: “Our thoughts and concerns are very much with our two colleagues at this time.”

Racing at the Hamilton course was abandoned following the incident.

Unfortunately racing today has been abandoned due to an accident involving camera crew at the course.
Ticket holders will be contacted with regards to transfer of ticket or refund.
Sending our thoughts and very best wishes to all involved. pic.twitter.com/sV1dWBhd3t
— Hamilton Park (@HamiltonParkRC) June 29, 2021

The first race was scheduled for 2.15pm, with an initial delay of half an hour, before a further delay was announced as emergency services attended.

Just after 3.35pm a loudspeaker announcement said racing had been abandoned.

Police Scotland said an investigation was underway to establish what happened.

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 1.35pm on Tuesday, June 29 to an incident at Hamilton Park Racecourse, Hamilton.

“Operations Control mobilised two appliances to the scene and using an aerial rescue appliance recovered two male casualties who had fallen onto the roof of a vehicle before handing them into the care of the Scottish Ambulance Service.

“Crews remain on the scene.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 1.50pm on Tuesday, June 29, police were called to a report of two men falling from a mobile platform at Hamilton Race Course.

“Emergency services are in attendance and one man has been taken to Wishaw General Hospital for treatment. The second man is currently being treated at the scene.

“Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.”

A British Horseracing Authority (BHA) spokesperson said: “Everybody at the BHA is concerned by the reports from Hamilton this afternoon and our thoughts are with the two RaceTech employees who have been injured.

“We wish both a full and speedy recovery.”