A man has died after getting crushed while working on a telescopic urinal at Cambridge Circus.
Police confirm the worker had passed away hours after sustaining serious injuries from a collapsed urinal near to the Palace Theatre.
Officers were alerted to the incident at 1.10pm this afternoon. Around 25 firefighters from Soho, Euston and Dowgate used a winch to free the man from below the ground, but he was later pronounced dead despite the best efforts of ambulance crews.
Urinals are pop up toilets which are stored underground and brought up at night for people to use.
The man’s next of kin have been informed, and cordons remain in place on the junction between Shaftesbury Avenue and Charing Cross Road, where people have been advised to avoid the area.
Meanwhile, a separate council investigation has also been launched into the incident.
A spokesperson said: “Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the friends and family of the worker who tragically died in the West End on Friday 27th January.
“The Council will also cooperate fully with the investigations by the Metropolitan Police and The Health and Safety Executive.”
The pop up toilet on Villiers will remain closed until further notice as a safety precaution.
Image: London Fire Brigade.