A MAN is in hospital with a suspected broken pelvis after a concrete roof he was demolishing collapsed on top of him.

Andy Wade, 58, is being treated in hospital for injuries which also include a possible broken wrist after the DIY disaster last night.

The parks and gardens worker from Allerton had been helping a friend to dismantle the roof of a bunker-style outbuilding in the garden to make way for a bigger garage.

It happened at around 7pm at the back of a house in Tanton Crescent, Clayton.

Mr Wade’s friend, Anthony Willerby described the incident as “a mistake” after his pal of more than 30 years ended up trapped under a pile of concrete.

“He wasn’t just doing me a favour helping out. In a way, we were trying to do the neighbours a favour too.

“We were going to use loud machinery and wanted to get the job done so we didn’t wake anyone on Sunday morning.

“We had a plank to put across to support the walls but Andy was on top and the roof collapsed just before we were about to do it.

“I was with him but on the ground at the time. He just went under it. He wasn’t pinned down as such, there wasn’t any pressure on top of him but he couldn’t have got out under his own steam.

"He was well and truly stuck under it.

“The roof had fallen on him but it was in bits and was sort of propped up over him.

"He was blocked in by it all.

"It probably took about one and a half hours to sort him out.”

Mr Willerby praised fire crews and specialist teams from Odsal, Cleckheaton Technical Rescue Unit and the Ambulance Hazardous Area Response Team, who came to Mr Wade’s aid.

“They were brilliant.

"Andy was okay considering, he was swearing mostly.

“He’s at Leeds General Infirmary and they think he’s got a broken pelvis and possibly a broken wrist.

"He’s having x-rays but they don’t think he’s going to need surgery.

“I work in an office and Andy works in parks and gardens and on the kerbside.

"We thought we could get the job done.

“We’ve been friends for more than 30 years but I don’t know if he’ll still be talking to me after this!

"He’s going to be off work for some time and I don’t think we’ll be doing any more DIY soon after.”

Cleckheaton Station Manager Christian Lawton said there was a safety message.

“If he’d taken a step back to think about what he was doing he would’ve probably realised it was risky.

"He definitely had a lucky escape.

"The message about DIY is to have a plan.

"Think about your safety first and don’t take risks,” he said.