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HS2 worker temporarily blinded after laser attack
CM Staff
Image: Dreamstime/Picudio
A worker on an HS2 site was blinded temporarily after a laser was shone in his eyes, seemingly deliberately.
Thames Valley Police has made an appeal for witnesses following the incident, which it described as grievous bodily harm, which took place in Wendover, Buckinghamshire, on 5 May.
The man aged in his fifties was standing by the side of a HGV in Jones Barn Farm Hill, at an HS2 site in Wendover, when it is believed a green laser was shone towards him.
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He turned towards the light source, which then went into both of his eyes, causing his vision to be impaired and prevented him from working. His eyesight remained impaired and blurred for 15 minutes, and he has since suffered pain in his eyes.
The victim has received hospital treatment since.
Two other people in the area also reported having a laser shone towards them, however they did not sustain any blurred vision or injury.
A Thames Valley Police spokesperson said: “This incident was a dangerous act, which resulted in a man aged in his fifties sustaining blurred vision and also pain in his eyes.
“We would ask that anyone in the area at this time who may have information on this to come forward and make a report to police, by calling 101 and quoting 43210192922. You can also make a report online, or call independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, for 100% anonymity.”
An HS2 spokesperson said: “We utterly condemn this dangerous, criminal and senseless act which has caused the hospitalisation of yet another innocent member of staff. The violent actions of protestors place our staff and the wider public at risk, at a time when emergency services resources should be focused on responding to the pandemic.
“HS2 is playing a pivotal role in the country’s economic recovery, supporting and creating thousands of jobs and business opportunities for people right across the UK. It will provide green public transport, take cars and lorries off our roads, reduce the need for domestic flights, and help the country’s fight against climate change.”
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