Construction work has now resumed at HS2 sites across the West Midlands after a contractor had to be taken to hospital by air ambulance.

Kenilworth Nub News reported that emergency services were called to the North Warwickshire site on Thursday 18 June, at around 5.20pm after a 44-year-old man was hit by a vehicle and injured his leg.

He was airlifted to hospital to receive treatment and has since been discharged and is recovering at home.

HS2 said it is continuing to support him and his family.

After the incident, contractor Balfour Beatty Vinci decided to stop works at local sites on its 90km section of the line from Long Itchington to Handsacre in Staffordshire.

A spokesperson for HS2 Ltd said: “Health and safety will always be our top priority, which is why our construction partner in the West Midlands took the decision to pause all works following a serious incident in which one person was injured.

“A phased restart to construction began on June 24th following a comprehensive review of all site-based activities and associated safety procedures.”

A full investigation is underway following the incident, which has been reported to the Health and Safety Executive.

One local contractor told the Enquirer: “Rumours about the accident were doing the rounds and it was very apparent the sites had been shut down because all the hi-vis vests disappeared from the local cafes and sandwich shops. Work only re-started fully this week.”