Shea Ryan tragically died on July 16, 2020, after climbing through an unsecured fence on a Drumchapel construction site and falling 20 feet into a manhole shaft.
The manhole, labeled MH22, was initially installed by the construction firm ABV and later transferred to RJ McLeod on July 3, 2020.
Plant operator Stuart Reid, who began working on the site on July 1, noted that MH22 was covered with an 80kg metal lid that could be easily removed by two people. He pointed out that the lid could have been secured with a ballast bag weighing up to three-quarters of a tonne, a road plate, or bolted down, which would have been relatively inexpensive and simple to do.
Reid estimated that bolting the lid could be accomplished for as little as £5 with supplies from a hardware store. He also mentioned that placing a road plate over the manhole would only take about 30 seconds and would help prevent unauthorized access and reduce the risk of accidents.
Reid reported that he had not seen any ballast bags on the RJ McLeod site, including MH22, after starting work there. He suggested that obtaining a ballast bag would have been straightforward, as they can be filled with any heavy material.
Reid also mentioned that if a manhole were left open, it would be considered a serious issue in the industry, warranting termination of employment for those responsible.
Procurator fiscal depute Nicola Gillespie questioned Reid about photos of MH22, noting that the lid was partially open and that water at the bottom indicated it was a “live manhole,” presenting a drowning risk if someone fell in.
Reid learned of Shea Ryan’s death the morning of July 17, 2020, when he arrived at work to find a police presence and was informed of the accident. The inquiry into the incident is ongoing.
