Man buried in concrete left with life-changing injuries

A man has been left with life-changing injuries after being buried in freshly poured concrete on a building site.

Jordan Mackenzie was trapped when a floor collapsed on top of him at a flat development in Fife.

The 25-year-old suffered chemical burns and multiple fractures before being pulled to safety by a colleague who had spotted his foot in the rubble.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is investigating the incident.

The father-of-one, from Crossgates, spent 17 days in an induced coma after he was rescued from the debris at the former Bowhill Miners' Institute in Cardenden on 19 July.

Mr Mackenzie had been checking underneath the first floor of the Campion Homes development for any leaks from concrete being poured by workers above when the ceiling gave way.

He recalled "vague flashbacks" from the collapse while "drifting in and out of consciousness" for about 30 minutes.

"I was trapped under everything," he said. "The concrete came down, along with the steel, and knocked me to the ground - and everything landed on top of me.

"With the sheer weight of it all I could feel myself struggling to move.

"I was in a lot of pain almost immediately, but then with adrenaline and everything it wasn't long before all I felt was total panic."

Doctors were fortunate to save Mr Mackenzie's sight after his eyes were burned by the chemicals.

He required multiple skin grafts on his arms and legs and suffered fractures to his face, ribs, femur, shoulder, pelvis and spine.

Medics initially feared he would not survive when placing him in a coma, after firefighters helped save him from the wreckage.

However, he is now looking forward to spending Christmas with his family while remaining an in-patient at the Queen Margaret Hospital in Dunfermline.

He said: "It's been a painful and stressful recovery, mentally and physically, but I'm getting there despite some injuries being life-changing.

"I had cuts and fractures all over my body, and needed treatment for chemical burns, there was a lot of surgery.

"Right now I just want to focus on my recovery and see my loved ones over Christmas, and start to look forward again."

Mr Mackenzie is being supported by Digby Brown Solicitors in Kirkcaldy while HSE investigators probe the incident.

A Campion Homes spokesperson said: "This is a very isolated incident, but our employees are always our first priority.

"We have been providing a range of support to Jordan and his family since the summer and will continue to do so."