A COLLAPSED North East bridge builder has been taken to court accused of health and safety breaches in connection with the death of one of its employees more than five years ago.

The court case against Darlington-based Cleveland Bridge, responsible for some of the greatest structures in the world, took place after an employee died at work in October 2016.

Keith Poppleton suffered fatal injuries after falling from a 25ft travelling crane.

Mr Poppleton, then of Tunstall Road, Stockton died after falling through an inspection hatch and landing on a pile of metal girders, an inquest in 2018 heard.

Read more: Widow's tears for husband who died in fall at Cleveland Bridge

The 54-year-old sub-contractor was given CPR before he was taken to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

In court on Friday, Cleveland Bridge was accused of failing to discharge general health, safety and welfare duty to an employee.

Held at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court the case was adjourned until Friday, November 19.

A representative from Cleveland Bridge did not attend.

In September, it was revealed after weeks of negotiations to try to save Cleveland Bridge, it was confirmed that the Yarm Road site would close for good.

Cleveland Bridge is renowned over the world for its iconic structures - from the Sydney Harbour Bridge to the Wembley Arch - but is set to close in the coming weeks due to financial difficulties.

The scale of the disastrous crash was revealed by the Echo earlier this year, when official documents told of debts totalling more than £21million, made up of 264 separate claims, including £6million to the Arab National Bank, £3million to HMRC, more than £2million for financing company 4Syte and £2million to UK Export Finance.

It was heard in court on Friday by the health and safety executive that ‘whatever fund will be given will not be paid’ - in relation to any compensation or fine if the company was found to have failed health and safety regulations due the firm now ceasing to be in business.

Mr Poppleton’s wife and daughters attended the short hearing on Friday.

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COUNTY DURHAM:

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