A man has died while working on the construction of the Rama II elevated expressway yesterday afternoon. Thai PBS World reports that the unnamed worker was killed when a concrete slab fell from the elevated structure, crushing him. Four cars were also damaged in the incident.
The construction of an overhead expressway on Rama II is part of the road leading out of Bangkok into Sam Sakhon, heading south.
According to the report, one witness, named as Phuriwat Peng-ampai, says he was driving toward the scene at around 4.30pm, when he heard a noise and saw the concrete slab above tilting, before falling into the road. His windscreen was cracked and one of his tyres was punctured by concrete debris.
Meanwhile, Sumet Khirimek, another driver in the area, says he had to swerve quickly to avoid being hit by the falling concrete slab, adding that his windscreen was also cracked and he also had a tyre punctured.
Following the accident, police closed the right-hand lane of the outbound road until the slab could be lifted out by crane.
Drivers have called for the construction firm to take more responsibility for health and safety on the project, with Sumet pointing out that an hour after the accident, there were still no representatives of the contractor at the scene.
SOURCE: Thai PBS World
