A 47-year-old supervisor was killed in an accident at the metro construction site at the Peenya Junction when a six-tonne iron frame that was being lifted by a crane collapsed on him here on Sunday.
Govinda Raj was overseeing the lifting of the frame for the emergency staircase construction at metro’s Y junction, near Peenya Industrial Area station, when the crane overturned around 12.45 p.m., resulting in the frame falling on him.
Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (BMRCL) authorities said Govinda Raj, contracted by Venkateshwara Engineering Works, was crushed to death.
The police said that two of the beams had been fixed and the third one was being transported when the accident occurred. Govinda Raj’s brother, Nagaraj, who was at the site when the accident occurred, told the police that the crane started tilting towards the left side before suddenly collapsing.
“The frame had been tied with a rope so that it could be tugged in the desired direction. Govinda Raj was handling the rope when the crane collapsed. Before anyone could control it, the crane overturned and the beam nearly severed his body,” he said.
According to an eyewitness account, workers at the site fled in fear soon after the crane collapsed.
A portion of the collapsed crane was lying on top of the iron frame under which Govinda Raj was caught. Another crane had to be requisitioned to steady the collapsed crane and retrieve the body.
Govinda Raj was rushed to Sapthagiri Hospital where he was declared brought dead.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the accident occurred when the main frame of the staircase for emergency evacuation of passengers was being shifted from the service road to the adjacent work spot by the Hydra machine. The accident occurred due to the toppling of the Hydra and the main frame falling on the supervisor. Investigation is on,” a BMRCL release said.
Govinda Raj, a native of Vaniyambadi in Tamil Nadu, is survived by his wife and three children. He was living with his brother in the city. He recently got his daughter married.
Though the police ruled out the possibility of the crane being overloaded, they are yet to ascertain the reason why it toppled over. The crane had the capacity to carry 15 tonnes, said the police who have booked a case against the contractor.
BMRCL authorities said that they would ensure that Govinda Raj’s family got all benefits at the earliest. They said that the contractor had contacted the family and had completed the formalities on providing benefits to them.
