In the fourth fatal Metro Rail accident, one construction worker was crushed to death and another worker was injured when a crawler crane toppled and fell over them at the Saidapet Metro Rail station on Saturday.
Around 6.30 a.m., Ranjith Biswal (20) and Tira Naik (19), natives of Bajuli village in Mayurbhanj district, Odisha, were involved in welding work at the site. A 70-tonne crawler crane, which was lifting a “counterweight” onto a trailer that was to leave for the Thousand Lights Metro Rail station, lost balance and fell, killing Biswal on the spot, according to officials of Chennai Metro Rail Limited.
His colleague, Tira Naik, whose left leg was severely injured was admitted to Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital. Surgeons have decided to amputate his leg for him to survive, a hospital official said.
According to Saidapet police, a preliminary probe revealed that the crane operator Kathiravan (34), a native of Thirukazhukundram, had tried to move the crane faster than necessary.
But a senior official said the cause of the accident could be ascertained only after a full-fledged investigation. A case under Section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) of IPC was registered against the crane operator Kathiravan and supervisor in-charge Salim (45). They have been arrested.
(With inputs from Serena M Josephine)