TWO forklift trucks fell from Brighton Palace Pier this morning.

The two vehicles were being used for ongoing steelworks on the pier when they both fell into the water.

A spokeswoman for Brighton Palace Pier said: "There was an incident today which resulted in two forklifts trucks falling through the perimeter railings.

"Throughout the year we have a continuous programme of steelwork replacement and the forklifts are used in this process.

"This morning the forklifts were assisting in the positioning of a new 15 metre truss, which is lowered in the first instance over the side of the pier. This is a process that has been carried out hundreds of times but we are looking into how this incident has occurred.

"Crucially, no one was injured or in any danger of being injured and the recovery plan for the forklifts is already in place."

The Argus:

The incident happened at about 9.38am today.

A spokeswoman for HM Coastguard said: “We were called to reports of a forklift in the water off Brighton Palace Pier.

“As there were no reports of a person in water or any pollution, we did not dispatch rescue boats out.

“It is not confirmed if the forklift had been driven in the water.”

The Argus:

A passerby, who did not wish to be named, said: “I didn’t see anything but there were two gaps in the railing about half-way down the pier where it looked like it had been smashed through.”

At the scene it looks as if building work is being carried out at that section of the pier. The railings are missing about half way down on the east side of the pier.

The area is blocked off by fences.

There were workmen near to the scene, who did not want to discuss the incident, when approached by The Argus.

The Argus:

Another added: “Hearing that a forklift truck has fallen off a pier is definitely not something I expected to hear today."