BREAKING: Two injured in repair site accident on Drakensberg Drive
The workers were partially buried by a mound of earth, with fellow workers having to dig them out with spades and their hands.
Two men were injured in a repair site accident on Drakensberg Drive earlier this morning.
Adrian Sanders, who was working on site at the time, said the men were working to fix a burst water pipe when a trench wall collapsed onto them.
They were partially buried by the large mound of earth.
Sanders said he and other workers had to dig the men out with spades and their hands and said it was fortunate they were not pinned in water at the bottom of the trench.
“The collapse was natural because the ground became unstable. We were only in the hole for about 30 minutes.”
The workers were transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Paramedics stated the men had sustained a broken ankle and a broken knee respectively, but said the injuries were not life-threatening.
Municipal Head of Communications, Dr Dumisani Thabethe explained a municipal team and a private contracting team had just switched sites between Drakensberg Drive and Murchison Street when the site accident occurred.
He contacted all emergency services, who immediately responded.
“We are all very emotional but I have to be here and the site must be made safer before the operation can continue.”
Residents in the vicinity should prepare themselves to wait longer now before water supply is restored.
Have you been affected by water cuts this week? Let us know – email newed2@caxton.co.za or leave a comment.
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