The man who survived a 140ft fall from a cherrypicker in Glasgow last week had a lucky escape from the same machine last year.

Alex Nisbett is at home with head injuries after an accident at Buchanan House, Glasgow on Thursday, which killed his co-worker Gary Currie.

The crane's boom buckled while it was being used for refurbishment works, sparking a health and safety investigation.

But the injured man’s former colleague Scott Stirling has revealed that the exact same machine failed last year.

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Mr Stirling told the Daily Record newspaper that he and Mr Nisbett were working together on the same Bizzocchi 43 cherrypicker last year in Midlothian.

The boom also buckled then and the pair got stuck on the side of the building.

They had to be rescued from the platform by firefighters and the crane was cut down from the building.

Mr Stirling said: "I am so angry. How could the investigators release the crane after such a bad accident? After our narrow escape, I assumed it would have been scrapped. I am so annoyed that someone passed that crane as fit for purpose. I hope this tragic incident will mean all equipment is thoroughly checked."

Another colleague of Mr Nisbett's said: "You shouldn’t have to risk your life every day when you go to work."

The crane was rented from Craig Services and Access.

Company operator Donald Craig said the boom’s second snap was "not in the same place" as the buckle last year.

(NE)