Police can confirm that five men have died after an industrial accident at a recycling site in Nechells this morning.
Officers were called by West Midlands Ambulance Service at 8.45am to Hawkeswood Metal in Aston Church Road to reports that a wall had collapsed.
Emergency services attended but the men could not be saved and they were pronounced dead at the scene. Another man has been taken to hospital with serious leg injuries.
An investigation into what happened is now underway. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has been notified and are assisting officers at the scene.
Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson said: “I would like to express my condolences to those that have sadly lost their lives.
“Emergency services are working together at the scene with the Health and Safety Executive.”
Detective Superintendent Mark Payne, from Force CID, said: “We are still in the very early stages of this investigation to determine exactly what happened this morning.
“Sadly five people have lost their lives and we have several teams of specialist officers supporting their families at this time.
“This has been a very traumatic incident for those who were at the site this morning and we will continue to work alongside the HSE and the other emergency services at the scene.”
