Lintel of under-construction factory collapses, worker dies

A major incident occurred late on Tuesday evening in Bhagat Singh Nagar Colony here when the lintel of a three-storey under-construction factory collapsed. A worker died on the spot in the mishap, which occurred shortly after the lintel was laid.

Of the five others injured, one was seriously hurt. The incident occurred at Saini Traders’ Cooler Factory on Leo Factory Road in Bhagat Singh Nagar.

According to eyewitness Dharminder Kumar, a labourer who was among the injured, the accident occurred while dismantling machine parts (shuttering) after laying the lintel on the third floor. He said after the work was completed, labourer Ram Aasre and the mason went to dismantle the shuttering when the accident occurred and they were trapped under the debris.

The labourer who died in the accident has been identified as Ram Aasre (40), a resident of Guru Nagar Colony, a native of Bihar. Ramesh Kumar (25) of Karnail Singh Nagar was seriously injured. He was admitted to the Civil Hospital.

Among the other injured, Ajay Das (30), suffered injuries on his leg and head. He risked his life to save his injured friend Ramesh. Alok (26) and Meghu (25) also suffered minor injuries and were discharged after first aid.

“At the time of the accident, we were opening the parts from the lintel-laying machine. As soon as one part of the machine was opened, there was a loud noise and the entire lintel, including the shuttering, collapsed. Ramesh Kumar said Ram Aasre was the first to fall.

The police said an investigation team had visited the scene and appropriate legal action would be taken.