An inquest docket has been opened by the Edenvale SAPS following the death of a construction worker at an Illiondale construction site.
William Ntladi, spokesperson for the City of Ekurhuleni’s Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) said the man in his early 60’s was killed at the site by falling rocks on June 15.
On June 17 the NEWS reported that the worker was killed while in a trench which collapsed. Ntladi said the trench was at least six metres deep.
He said the incident occurred at a construction site along Norman Road. The body of the construction worker was recovered on June 17.
Captain Jean Olckers, spokesperson of the Edenvale SAPS said the inquest docket was opened the day the body was recovered.
Ntladi said the rescue operation to recover the body started on the afternoon of June 15.
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The operation was halted at midnight for safety reasons.
“Rescue and recovery operations resumed on Saturday morning and carried on into the evening without success,” said Ntladi.
“Rocks and the depth of the trench made it difficult for the rescue team to recover the body.”
On Sunday morning rescue and recovery operations started again.
Ntladi said rescuers persevered through dangerous conditions to recover the body.
The body of the construction worker was brought to the surface at 5.58 pm.
“The family, who were on site, were given the opportunity to view the body before it was taken away by forensic pathologist services,” said Ntladi.”
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He said at this stage it is unknown why the trench collapsed.
He said the matter is being investigated by police.
