Man dies after pit collapses
31 July 2010, 15:24
A man was buried alive when tons of soil collapsed on him and co-worker near the Inanda Waterfall outside Durban on Saturday, KwaZulu-Natal paramedics said.
Netcare911 spokesman Jeff Wicks said the men were digging a pit when the accident happened.
"It is thought that the men were digging at the foot of a wall in the pit when it collapsed on them," said Wicks.
He said the pit was apparently an informal procurement site of plaster sand for locals.
One man was buried completely while his co-worker managed to edge his way free, raising the alarm, Wicks said.
"A police K9 search and rescue handler and dog were called to the scene and in a matter of minutes had located the man's body under the tonnes of soil."
Wicks said the man's body was excavated within an hour by the police rescue team. - Sapa
Netcare911 spokesman Jeff Wicks said the men were digging a pit when the accident happened.
"It is thought that the men were digging at the foot of a wall in the pit when it collapsed on them," said Wicks.
He said the pit was apparently an informal procurement site of plaster sand for locals.
One man was buried completely while his co-worker managed to edge his way free, raising the alarm, Wicks said.
"A police K9 search and rescue handler and dog were called to the scene and in a matter of minutes had located the man's body under the tonnes of soil."
Wicks said the man's body was excavated within an hour by the police rescue team. - Sapa
Durban
