Investigations underway into M1 bridge collapse

SANDTON - According to EWN, Murray & Roberts believe that a truck may have crashed into the scaffolding which was holding up the bridge.

The Electoral Commission will urgently conduct an audit of results and votes cast in a sample of voting stations to ascertain if double voting occurred.

UPDATE 15 October, 9.09 am

Murray & Roberts believes truck crash may be cause of bridge collapse

They believe this may have been the cause of the bridge collapse and are investigating the possibility.

WATCH: How the Grayston Drive pedestrian bridge should have looked

The City anticipates that the M1 highway will be open by this afternoon.

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Murray & Roberts believes truck crash may be cause of bridge collapse

 

UPDATE 15 October; 7.17 am

The City of Joburg has confirmed that a third person has succumbed to their injuries and died as a result of the Grayston Bridge Collapse.

 

UPDATE 14 October, 9,05pm

Mayor says he has never seen a tragedy of this magnitude

Robert Mulaudzi and Edna Mamonyane have told the Sandton Chronicle that Metro Police, Emergency Services, Urban Search and Rescue and private contractors will work through the night, in an attempt to clear the wreckage from the M1 and recover a suspected body from the scene.

Mulaudzi said it was uncertain if the highway would be opened for the morning commute.

Mulaudzi said EMS initially struggled to get to the scene, as motorists had started using emergency lanes in the area – to avoid the long lines of traffic that were building up. “They could have got there a lot faster,” he said.

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Mayor Parks Tau left the scene to visit patients at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital in Parktown. There are 23 patients altogether, five of which are in a critical condition Unfortunately two people have been declared dead.

Tau said told the Sandton Chronicle that he had never seen a tragedy of this magnitude and confirmed that the City would be conducting its own investigation into the incident. He promised to act on  the findings of the investigation as soon as possible.

Tau also said that he planned to stay updated on all the victims progress.

UPDATE 14 October; 6.50pm

It is believed that a body is still stuck in the wreckage of the bridge collapse.

Two people are still trapped in the wreckage, almost 4 hours after the collapse occurred.

Joburg Mayor Parks Tau has arrived on the scene and briefed media on the current situation at the collapse site. He has assured that an investigation is currently underway and the necessary corrective action will take place. He said that City officials would visit the injured in hospital tomorrow.

Click here to read: Five things you need to know about the M1 bridge collapse

Tau expressed the City’s condolences to the families affected by the accident, as well as support and sympathy to those injured.

According to Tau, the next-of-kin of those involved in the accident had not all been contacted yet, while others were on site.

Watch Robert Mulaudzi from the Joburg fire station below:

He could not confirm how long it would take to reopen the road, and was not even sure that it would be opened by tomorrow morning.

The Sandton Park and Ride facilities will operate for free tomorrow, in an attempt to alleviate traffic congestion.

A special briefing was held at the Sandton Fire Station to address the collapse of the bridge.

CLICK HERE TO READ: Uber and Park and Ride offer free services following bridge collapse

Ward 91 councillor Andrew Stewart said the bridge fell apart on the far side closest to Wynberg. “The structural investigation is not yet complete, the authorities don’t want to speculate,” he added.

UPDATE 14 October; 6.27pm

Three cars are still trapped under the wreckage of the bridge that collapsed over the N1 Highway. It is expected that the clearing of the road will take the better part of this evening. Motorists have been urged to avoid the area at all costs.

Five of the 21 people who are reported to have been injured, are in a serious condition.

Murray & Roberts has offered its condolences to the families of the deceased and sympathy to those injured.

According to Ed Jardim, group investor and media executive for Murray & Roberts emergency services are in control of the rescue operations, supported by senior Murray & Roberts personnel and equipment

UPDATE 14 October; 17.04

The City of Joburg is denying that the pedestrian bridge itself collapsed but rather that the scaffolding attached to the bridge fell.

It is believed that a gust of wind pushed the scaffolding over.

Reports say that the City is investigating the incident and wants to find the real cause and person who neglected their duties.

Murray & Roberts, leading engineering and construction services company is responsible for the construction of the bridge.

Ed Jardim, the group investor and media executive of the company said the exact cause of the incident is not known at this time. “All of our incident response procedures have been initiated, our support services have been mobilised and relevant authorities have been advised,” he added.

Jardim said the cause of the collapse would be made available as soon as the information is available.

Watch JoburgToday.tv ‘s video from the scene of the bridge collapse:

 

UPDATE 14 October; 17.00

Reports indicate that the death toll in the bridge collapse has just risen to two people.

Nthatisi Modingoane, spokesperson for the City of Johannesburg said the City has noted the collapse of the bridge. The Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Parks Tau is said to be en route to the site of the incident to establish the facts first hand.

UPDATE 14 October; 16.19

According to Emer-G-Med paramedics responded to the scene of the bridge collapse.

Three cars were trapped under the bridge as well as a taxi, Fortuner and a construction vehicle.

The driver of the taxi was killed in the collapse.

The passengers sustained moderate to serious injuries. The driver and passengers in the Fortuner are still trapped in the vehicle. Emergency Medical Services are working to free them.

About 30 people have sustained critical to moderate injuries.

Paramedics are treating patients at the scene and will transport them to hospital for further medical treatment.

Watch a video of the scene of the collapse:

 

14 October; 16.05 pm

Traffic is reported to be at a standstill.

Motorists are urged to avoid the route if possible.

Edna Mamonyane, spokesperson for Metro police confirmed that a pedestrian bridge next to the Grayston bridge collapsed at 4pm on 14 October.

Emergency services are at the scene and Metro police are diverting traffic away from the bridge collapse.

Mamonyane could not confirm if there were any injuries.

However a representative from Sandton police said there were no deaths reported.

Read City launches Grayston Drive bridge construction

https://twitter.com/tutpack/status/654291069060947968

Also read:

Portion of vertical ceiling collapses at Sandton City

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