15 Feb - Boy falls through asbestos roof in Birmingham

Monday, 15 Feb 2010

A teenage boy was taken to hospital after falling at least 4.6m (15ft) through an asbestos roof in Birmingham.

Emergency services had to force their way into the disused building in Bristol Road, Selly Oak, on Saturday.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said the injured 15-year-old was inside the locked building when they arrived.

Paramedics using breathing apparatus removed asbestos dust from his clothing and skin before he went to hospital.

Fire and police crews had to get inside the building before the boy could be treated for injuries to his chest and arm.

Decontaminated at scene

An ambulance spokeswoman said: "Due to the roof containing asbestos, fire fighters and paramedics wearing breathing apparatus entered the building to assess the teenager's condition.

"The teenage boy had suffered chest and arm injuries.

"Paramedics decontaminated the teenager at the scene to remove asbestos dust from his clothing and skin."

Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral often found in insulation materials around pipes and tanks, in tiles and other building materials.

It was used extensively in the 1970s because of its strength and heat resistance.

It has been banned in the UK because damaged asbestos can be inhaled and cause lung damage.

Source: BBC News Feb 2010