Window cleaner fights for his life after hotel fall
The Claremont Lions Hotel Grand Parade, Eastbourne. Sold by Lions Hotels to Daish Hotel Group. January 22nd 2013 E04087P
A man is fighting for his life in a London hospital after falling from a seafront hotel on Tuesday afternoon.
Homberto Lopez is believed to have been cleaning windows at the Claremont Hotel in Grand Parade when he fell off a ladder and landed in a basement.
Although he only fell six feet, the 41-year-old suffered a severe head injury and is currently on a life support machine at Kings College Hospital in London where his condition is described as critical but stable. His wife is by his bedside.
The accident happened at around 3pm when ambulance, police and fire crews were called to the seafront hotel.
Mr Lopez, who had been cleaning windows for a private firm of contractors, was winched from the basement area by firefighters and tended to by paramedics before being transferred to the waiting Sussex Air Ambulance.
The air ambulance had landed on the beach opposite the hotel and roads were closed while the man was stretchered across before being flown to the Kings College Hospital in London.
The Claremont Hotel was recently sold to Daish Holidays and director George Brown said yesterday (Thursday) Mr Lopez had been working for a private firm of contractors and was not connected directly with the hotel staff.
He said, “It was a very unfortunate accident and our thoughts and prayers are with the man concerned and his family. We hope he makes a full recovery.”
The accident is now being investigated jointly by both Sussex Police and the Health and Safety Executive.
A spokesperson for Sussex Police said, “We are working with the HSE regarding an incident in which a man is believed to have fallen from a height while at work. The investigation into how he fell continues in our joint investigation with the HSE.
“We would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident or who saw a man working in the area shortly before. Anyone with information is asked to contact Sussex Police on 101 quoting serial 964 of 22/1.”
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Weather for Eastbourne
Wednesday 22 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 5 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 5 C to 12 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: North west
