Date:02/12/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/02/stories/2007120258340100.htm

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Worker killed at construction site

Special Correspondent

— PHOTO: A.MURALITHARAN

RESCUE ATTEMPT: A worker being taken out from the pit at the construction site at Tambaram.

TAMBARAM: A 50-year-old construction worker was killed, and three others were injured, when scooped-out earth and debris fell into a 10-foot deep pit they were working in at a construction site here on Saturday.

Murugan (20), Indra (30), Shanmugham (35) and Raji (50), all from Salem district, were working on Venkatesa Choudhry Street. An old building on the site had been demolished and foundation work was under way for a new complex.

Fellow workers tried to rescue them, but failed. Firemen pulled them out and all four were rushed to the Chromepet General Hospital where Raji was declared dead on arrival.

Lacking in safety

The police said the site lacked safety measures. Similar incidents at construction sites had killed several workers in the recent past.

In October, a 30-year-old worker fell to death when an iron scaffolding collapsed at a construction site at Thoraipakkam.