Workmen survive building collapse

Press, 9 January 1986, Page 4

Workmen survive building collapse

PA Auckland Two workmen had a lucky escape when a concrete floor collapsed on a North Shore building site yesterday.

“Those guys only just got out,” said Mr Keith Bates, one of seven workers who survived a three-metre fall when the floor of freshly poured concrete collapsed. “We had just finished a pour and they had come out waiting for the next pour. That was when it fell. “I went down and hit the deck, then something fell on my head. It must have been a piece of concrete or steel. I felt the knock, reached up and felt blood,” said Mr Bates. Mr Shane Williams, another workers on the Glen- ! field site, said he heard what he thought was a bang. “I turned round to look and then the floor I was standing on gave way. The floor just dropped out and everyone fell through.” Mr Williams and four workmates were unhurt in the collapse, which occurred about 10.45 a.m. Two other workers were treated at North Shore Hospital and discharged. The police closed the site ■ after the collapse, declaring it unsafe. Labour Department inspectors began investigating to determine the cause of the collapse, declaring the site safe about 12.30 p.m. They refused to comment on a possible cause.