Update
GEORGE NEWS - Investigations into the root cause of an incident on a construction site in Herold's Bay on Friday 2 December, are underway. This was confirmed by CEO, health and safety legal advisor and incident investigator from 24 Law George, Kevin Erasmus.
Erasmus was appointed to conduct the investigation into the incident after one employee lost his life and another sustained serious injuries following the collapse of a retaining wall on the site. The injured employee is stable and recovering in hospital.
The incident happened at about 10:00 in the morning. The deceased and injured person were both working on the site when the wall came down on them.
Their fellow employees dug them up and applied CPR until emergency services arrived.
ER24 paramedics responded to the scene, and had to negotiate around a very steep and narrow embankment. Metro Search and Rescue services soon arrived to assist. CPR was continued on the patient, but he was declared dead on the scene.
The second patient was treated and transported to George Provincial Hospital.
No evidence of negligence
According to Erasmus there is at this stage no indication of negligence by the contractors on site. "We cannot disclose any further information on the particulars of the matter, or those affected, until the technical subject matter expert analysis has been completed and surety has been granted that the family of the deceased have been notified.
At this stage the prima facie evidence does not indicate any negligence on the part of the contractors on site. All role players on the project have given their full cooperation and commitment to finalising the investigation. We ask the community to respect the sensitive situation," he said.
Inquest docket opened
Southern Cape police spokesperson Sgt Chris Spies confirmed the incident and said police are investigating an inquest docket. The cause of the incident is also under police investigation.
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