STRANGE ACCIDENT

Evening Star, Issue 18925, 27 April 1925, Page 5

STRANGE ACCIDENT

NEW BUILDING COLLAPSES FOUR MEN KILLED HUMBER OF DINERS INJURED Press Association—By Telegraph-Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Press Association. MELBOURNE, April 25. With a roar like thunder the upper parts of a seven-storied building in the course of erection in Swanston street, in the city, collapsed shortly before knocking on time yesterday. A large number of workmen, who were engaged upon it, were overwhelmed. Four men wore dead when extricated, and fifteen were injured. The building was being erected for the British and Australian Tobacco Company. The fire brigade was first on the scene, and the escape ladders were run up against the still quivering walls. The firemen rescued those who could Ho soon, while the woorkmen made a feverish search for those of their mates who had been buried. Two bodies were recovered by 6 o’clock, and another was found shortly after 8 o’clock. The architect examined the standing walls, and reported that there was imminent danger of tlio floor, upon which the rescuers were at work, collapsing, but it was only after much argument, and when it was pointed out that the unfortunate men were certainly dead, and that forty other lives would be in momentary danger that the men would agree to leave off the search till day break.

Little warning of tlio collapse was given. On the third and fmirtn floors, and on the roof, there were at work dozens nf laborers, carpenters, plasterers, wbitowashors, and painters. The pay envelopes were being passed round when suddenly there was heard a slow grinding so und,and tho men saw the wall bulging outward_ and then contracting again, after which it fell like a sheet in tho wind. A rush for tho exits followed. Those who rushed to tho front were lucky, while those who went back were mostly caught. The wall collapsed like _ a concertina. Tho other walls folded in, and the ceiling fell in a shower of debris. The giant concrete pillars gave way under the strain of tons of falling concrete, much of which pierced the fourth floor.

The largo crowds which quickly gathered hampered tho work of the ambulances and tho police, and a special squad was rushed to the scene to prevent tho people from entering tho building. Aftter the workmen had loft another search was made by a small party, and tho remaining body was recovered at IQ o’clock. Th enamos of tho dead are:— George Marshall, aged 48, whitewashing contractor, of Fitzroy. Reginald Shaw, 22, of Carlton. Victor Ingham, 30, of Northeote. Edgar Lydin.rd, 40, of Brunswick. The first th roe men were married. Little is known at present regarding Lydia rd. EZPERTS PUZZLED. MELBOURNE, April 25. Experts are mystified as to tho cause of the collapse of the Tobacco Company’s building. It was tto have been finished in tho next two months. Sensational disclosures are expected at the inquest on the victims.