Three buried when trench wall caves in
Three employees of Basil Read were killed and five injured on the afternoon of September 11 while they were repairing water pipes inside a trench
STEELPOORT – Three employees of Basil Read were killed and five injured on the afternoon of September 11 while they were repairing water pipes inside a trench. The pipes are constructed from the De Hoop Dam next to the R555 to Steelpoort. The accident occurred about four kilometres from Lion Smelters.
According to Ms Jenny von Ehrenberg, Basil Read investor-relations manager, the sidewall collapsed and engulfed eight employees.
“Basil Read has ceased all construction operations at its Olifants River water-resource development project – phase two, while investigations continue with the relevant authorities to establish the cause of the accident. Among other measures, the project team will revisit all health-and- safety protocols and reinduct all employees before any construction activity is allowed to recommence,” Von Ehrenberg said.
All the employees were from Limpopo. “The three employees’ next of kin have been notified and funeral arrangements will be communicated in due course. Basil Read would like to express its sincere condolences to the bereaved families, the families of those who have been injured and to the whole project team on site. This tragic incident comes at a crucial time when the whole project team had put significant effort into a recovery plan to complete the pipeline project,” she said.
“The pipes are buried deep underground. These employees were about 10 feet deep in the trench when the sand and rocks fell on them. During the rescue phase emergency medical technicians and other employees assisted with the digging up (exhuming) of the eight victims who were trapped under the dirt and rocks. Three employees were declared dead on the scene while the other five were rushed to the hospital,” said a guard of Fidelity Security who has been appointed to secure the site while the investigation is underway.
An eyewitness on Friday afternoon said the employees allegedly knew that the side of the trench was unstable, but continued to work knowing the risks they faced. The identities of the deceased and injured employees will remain confidential until the investigations by the Department of Labour are completed to determine the exact cause of the accident.
“Basil Read and workmen’s compensation will cover the medical costs of the injured employees, and the funeral costs of the deceased,” concluded Von Ehrenberg.
