WORKERS KILLED

Grey River Argus, 27 April 1925, Page 5

WORKERS KILLED

BIG BUILDING FALLS Melbourne Disaster MEUBOI’h'NH. April 25. With n roar like thunder the upper parts of a seven,st(»reye«l building in course of erection in Sxxaiiston Street in the city, collapsed shortly before knocking off time yesterday. A large number of workmen who were engaged upon it xx ere ox eru helmed. Eoiir of the nun were de.'id when extricated, and fifteen xxcre injured. The building was being erected for the British Australian Tobacco Company. The Fire Brigade xvas first on the scene, and escape ladders were run up against the still quivering walls. The firemen rescued those who could be seen, xrhile the workmen made a feverish search for those of their mates who were buried. Two bodies had been recovered by six o-cloek, and another shortly after. At eight o’clock the architect examined the standing walls, and he reported that there xvas imminent danger of the floor, upon which the wore at work collapsing, hut it was only after much argument, and when it xvas pointed out that the unfortunate remaining man xvas dead, and that forty other lives xvould bo in momentary danger, that the men xvould agree to leave off the search till daybreak. T.ittle warning of the collapse xvas given. On the fourth floor, third floor and on the roof, there xverc dozens of labourers, carpenters, whitewashers and painters. The pay-envelopes were being passed round, when suddenly there was heard a slow, grinding sound, and the men saw the wall bulging outward, ami then contracting again, after xvhieh it fell like a sheet in the wind. A rush for the exits followed. Those who rushed to the front were lucky, while those who backed were mostly caught. The xvall collapsed like a concertina. The other xvalls then folded in, and the ceiling fell in a shower of debris. Giant concrete pillars gave way under the strains of falling concrete, much*“of which pierced the fourth floor. Large crowds, xvhieh quickly gathered, hampered the xvork of the ambulances and the police, and a special

squad was rushed to the scene to prevent people from entering the bui IdAfter the xvorkmen loft. another search xvas made by a small party, and the remaining body xvas recovered at ten o’clock. The names of those dead arc: George Marshall, aged 48, whitewashing contractor. of Fitzroy; "Reginald Shaw, aged 22. of Carlton; Victor Tngham. aged 35, of Northeote; and Edgar Dydiard, aged 40, of Brunsxviek. The first three num wore married. Little, is known at present regarding Lydiard. SENSATIONAL DISCLOSURES EX PE(IT ED AT INQUEST. (Received April 2 at 5.5 p.m.) MELBOURNE, April 26 The experts arc mystified as to the cause of the collapse of the Tobacco Company’s building. It xvas to liiivo finished in the next two monU’K. Sensational disclosures aro existed at the inquest on the victims. (((