02.06.2006

Three die as tower crane collapses

Three men died on Tuesday at a Volkswagen plant in Uitenhage, South Africa. The tower crane which was 10 storeys high, was working on a new paint shop being built by Grinaker LTA Construction. The crane was being dismantled at the time of the accident by Crane Plant Services, when the counterweight and then jib collapsed.

The three who died were named as R Phokanoka, 47, who was employed by Grinaker, and W L. van Vuuren, 48, and M Jooste, 22, who were employees of Crane Plant Services.

The companies, made a joint statement, saying “The exact cause of the incident is unknown and a full investigation is under way to determine the cause. Grinaker LTA and Crane and Plant Services offer their condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this incident.”

Work on the new plant has also stopped, according to the contractor out of respect for the men that lost their lives. However a statement from the department of labour said that it had ordered a halt to all operations until investigations were completed.