A 26-YEAR-OLD man has died after plunging about 50ft into an empty petrol container.

The tragic accident happened as the man carried out repairs to the petrol and aviation fuel container at Strath Services on the Isle of Grain, near Rochester.

He is believed to have been working for a contractor. A spokesman for Medway Ambulance said the worker suffered multiple injuries including internal injuries and a broken leg.

The ambulance crew arrived on the scene just before noon within 15 minutes of the initial call.

He was conscious when the ambulance arrived and the crew carried him out from the bottom of the container on a spinal board. The man was airlifted to Maidstone General Hospital by Kent Air Ambulance but later died.

The air ambulance landed on the site and made it to Maidstone in 15 minutes. Kent Fire and Rescue sent the line rescue team from Deal but the crew was not used.

A spokesman for the fire and rescue service said the worker was carried out through a man hole cover in the container

Police have been unable to release any details about the dead man as relatives are still being told about the death. The worker was living in the Medway area at the time of the tragedy but his family is not believed to live locally.

The coroner has been informed and an inquest will be opened at a later date. The Health and Safety Executive will be called in to investigate the details around the accident.