A MAN has died while working on a water tower at Bewl Water Reservoir.

The worker,employed by subcontractors Derryard, was inspecting the tower, which is used by Southern Water to control the release of water from the reservoir dam at Lamberhurst.

Ambulances, the Kent Air Ambulance and firefighters were called out to help rescue the man who had collapsed on the tower, 50 yards from the dam wall, close to Bewlbridge Lane, yesterday afternoon.

A Sea King helicopter was called in to winch the man off the tower. He was flown to Maidstone Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His identity has not yet been released.

The cause of the death has not yet been officially established.