A 73-year-old man who died after a rickety bridge collapsed during a £900-a-head pheasant shoot has been named and pictured for the first time tonight.
Brian Harwood of Penrith in Cumbria, died following the collapse of a wooden bridge supported by scaffolding that fell in Lancashire.
On Tuesday, officers were summoned to investigate a serious incident that occurred on Roeburndale’s farm.
At the time, eleven people were inside the trailer and ranger vehicle at the scene.
Unfortunately, Harwood was struck fatally in the head and declared dead on arrival. Officers are supporting Harwood’s next-of-kin as he undergoes formal identification.
For their injuries, two other older men in their 70s and 60s are being treated in hospital.
The victim’s companion said in a statement that tonight: Brian meant so much for me and everyone around him. He was loved by everyone he met.
“We are deeply shocked by the events and support all investigations. We ask for privacy to allow us to grieve and process our grief in peace.
Brian Harwood, Penrith, Cumbria, was killed when a Polaris Ranger pulling a trailer crashed into a stream. The wooden bridge that supported the scaffolding collapsed caused it to fall into a river.
Harwood lost his life when an all-terrain car and trailer collided with a bridge.
When a bridge collapsed, a Polaris Ranger truck pulling a trailer was thrown into the river.
The scene was attended to by emergency services, including fire and ambulance personnel, police, mountain rescue, and fire fighters.
The investigation is ongoing into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Lancashire Police Det Insp Kirsty Wiatt stated that the investigation into yesterday’s collapse of the bridge is ongoing.
“We are thinking of Mr Harwood and his loved ones, as well as everyone who was affected by the tragic event.
“We support the family members of the victims and work with partners to determine what caused the bridge’s collapse.
“Our investigations are ongoing with investigators expected at the scene for the next days.
“I want to express my gratitude to all the members of emergency services for supporting this operation in extremely difficult circumstances, and to Roeburndale community, for continuing our inquiries.”
After it became clear that the place where the tragedy happened was owned by one of the most wealthy men in the country, formerly Prince Philip.
Locals say Ian Banks operates the £900-a-head pheasant shoot on the area where the collapse happened.
Following a serious incident at 4.25pm yesterday, Roeburndale police received a call from the authorities to assist with farming
Today’s scene showed that the bridge collapsed suddenly and caused the car to crash.
Locals say Ian Banks operates a £900-a-head pheasant shoot on the land where tragedy was
Banks is also a game farm owner and has many years experience in working with Royalty.
The website of his company states that he was offered a position as beat keeper to the Duke of Westminster. Ian jumped at the opportunity and spent 4 years shooting high quality footage for Royalty.
He refused to respond today when MailOnline called him by telephone.
According to local rumors, Mr Banks may have rented the land from a farmer.
According to reports, the victims were mainly “beaters” who were tasked with cleaning out birds in order for them to be shot.
After yesterday’s shoot, eleven of the crew were riding on the trailer back to their farm.
A Polaris Ranger pulled the trailer. The bridge gave way beneath the trailer.
Emergency services, including fire crews, at the scene of where a bridge has collapsed in Roeburndale, Lancashire
Cave & Mountain rescue units are also in attendance at the scene after a vehicle fell into the river
This fatal accident occurred near Roeburndale (Lancashire), just a few kilometers from the Yorkshire Dales border.
Officers in a police car with sirens blasting on the way to Roeburndale’s rural scene for the incident
A stock picture of a Polaris Ranger. When the trailer fell into river, it was being transported by the vehicle.
The incident occurred on Tuesday night. A man was killed and many others were severely injured by fire crews.
Following the incident around 4.25pm, there were a lot of emergency workers on-site
One farm worker said that some of the suspects were familiar to him.
“There were eleven of them at the trailer’s back, and most had worked as beaters.
“As they cross the bridge, the structure has collapsed under them, and the trailer is now in their river approximately 10-15 feet.
“A friend of mine has suffered head injuries and is now in hospital. Some others were also on the trailer and escaped with minor injuries.
‘The shoot is £900-a-head and people come from all over the country.
“It’s so sad. I have no idea why it collapsed.”
If you have any information that can assist police, please call 101 and quote log 0953 January 18.