Two workers were critically injured this afternoon when a load of steel collapsed and fell on top of them at a construction site in Wadeville. It is speculated that an overhead crane was hoisting a load of steel, the chain connecting the cargo to the crane snapped releasing the load above where the men were working.
Netcare 911 paramedics arrived at the construction site and had to climb up a stair case for the first two floors and then had to clamber up scaffolding to get to the top floor where the injured lay. Both men sustained critical injuries and paramedics worked fervently to stabilise them. The Netcare 911 air ambulance was dispatched with two trauma doctors and a paramedic on board to assist with the stabilisation of the critically wounded men.
A specialised rope rescue technician from the fire services was hoisted up attached to an overhead crane to bring the two critically injured patients down to ground level. One of the patients was airlifted to the Netcare Union hospital while the other patient was transported by ambulance to the same hospital for further medical care.
Chris Botha
Netcare 911
