M1 Bridge Collapse - Grayston Drive

[Necropolis]

One of the few times I actually feel sorry for a taxi driver...

 

[schumi]

Death toll in Sandton bridge collapse increases

Naledi Shange, News24

Johannesburg - Two people have been confirmed dead following the collapse of a temporary bridge along the M1 highway in Sandton on Wednesday, paramedics said.

"There are 23 people who are injured and two are dead," said Johannesburg EMS spokesperson, Robert Mulaudzi.

Earlier, ER24 said in a statement that at least 17 people were injured, while Netcare 911 said on Twitter that 15 people were injured - five critically.

Mulaudzi told News24 that three vehicles were trapped under the collapsed structure but all the occupants of had been extricated from the vehicles.

None of those injured were children.

Murray & Roberts, the company responsible for the construction, said it was probing the incident.

Company spokesperson Ed Jardim said they did not immediately have all the details of the incident, but they had sent people to the scene.

"We have not been able to look at the cause as yet. At the moment, we are concentrating on ensuring that if there are any people injured, they are attended to quickly," said Jardim.

A motorist told Eyewitness News that he saw the structure crash onto the car behind him.

According to an eNCA report, a minibus taxi was trapped underneath.

A photograph shows the red structure, which was reportedly meant to be a pedestrian crossing, blocking both the north and south-bound lanes of the highway.

News24
Source
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Death-toll-in-Sandton-bridge-collapse-increases-20151014

 

[Electron1]

Been watching them construct that monstrosity over the last 3 or 4 weeks and was wondering how stable it would be. Those crossbeams are huge and the supporting scaffolding seemed puny in comparison to the weight and length of the crossbeams. Somebody clearly never took wind into account when planning this temporary structure.

 

[Electron1]

View attachment 306008

Just look at the size and imagine the weight of those cross beams on the left of the pic, then look at the supoporting scaffolding on the right.
Thanks LazyLion for the pics

 

[schumi]

What you should know about Sandton's collapsed bridge

Naledi Shange, News24

Johannesburg - Paramedics have confirmed that at least two people have died as a temporary scaffolding structure, used as a bridge for cyclists and pedestrians, collapsed in Sandton on Wednesday afternoon.

The collapse of the bridge happened as the City of Johannesburg promoted the Ecomobility World Festival which encouraged motorists to park their cars, cycle, walk and use public transport to get around Sandton.

Here is what you should know about the collapsed bridge.

- The bridge is named The Great Walk Bridge.

- It was under construction by Murray & Roberts.

- Construction began in March and was expected to be completed in October 2016.

- It is intended to be a 5km pedestrian and cycling path joining the Alexandra township and the Sandton CBD.

- According to the Johannesburg Development Agency, an estimated 10 000 people walk and cycle between the two areas daily.

- Plans were to install lighting, benches, hawkers' stalls and CCTV cameras.

News24
Source
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/What-you-should-know-about-Sandtons-collapsed-bridge-20151014

 

[Stochos]

Naledi Shange, News24

Johannesburg - Murray & Roberts, the company responsible for the construction at the M1 highway where a temporary bridge collapsed on Wednesday, said it was probing the incident.

Company spokesperson Ed Jardim said they did not immediately have all the details of the incident, but they had sent people to the scene.

"We have not been able to look at the cause as yet. At the moment, we are concentrating on ensuring that if there are any people injured, they are attended to quickly," said Jardim.

He said the company would be issuing a statement shortly. It was unclear how many people, if any, were injured in the incident.

Reports from the scene are that at least one vehicle was trapped after the pedestrian bridge collapsed. A motorist told Eyewitness News that he saw the structure crash onto the car behind him.

According to an eNCA report a minibus taxi was trapped underneath.

A photograph shows the red structure, which was reportedly meant to be a pedestrian crossing, blocking both the north and south-bound lanes of the highway.

It was unclear whether any people had been on the bridge at the time.

Netcare 911 spokesperson Chris Botha told News24 paramedics were on the scene, and would provide information soon.

News24
Source
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Murray-Roberts-probing-Sandton-bridge-collapse-20151014

Looks like Murray & Roberts can't function without being corrupt and engaging in collusion etc...

http://mg.co.za/article/2015-03-05-ripping-off-the-state-can-be-big-business

 

[schumi]

Murry and Roberts share price drop
https://twitter.com/ewnreporter/status/654329305049251840

 

[Slaught3r]

That is a scaffolding bridge lol! No wonder!

Hilarious, ey?

 

[WaxLyrical]

Family of taxi driver and other person will getting their Christmas bonus early this year.

Make them pay.

 

[Necropolis]

Looks like traffic is barely moving out of sandton...

 

[Peon]

Condolences to the deceased family members.

 

[Sinbad]

before:

 

[ScottulusMaximus]

before:SNIP

Nope that's the pedestrian bridge farther south down the freeway, the one at grayston was much bigger

 

[Sinbad]

Nope that's the pedestrian bridge further down the freeway

That looks very much like what collapsed.

 

[ScottulusMaximus]

That looks very much like what collapsed.

Yes very similar, they're building something there too but not the same one.

That pic is this bridge:



There was a concrete pedestrian bridge there that they demolished and are now busy with a new overpass while people are walking over this.

PS: Google Earth is really on the ball, this has only been a scaffold bridge for a few months

This is where the collapsed bridge was:

 

[Toby]

And this is why you appoint people on merit....

From my days as a "Safety Rep" Scaffolding has to be installed and inspected to a set standard.

See

The South African Bureau of Standards Code of Practice SABS 085 entitled “The Design, Erection, Use and Inspection of Access Scaffolding”.

This is where you start.

So, where the daily "toolbox talks" done properly, or did they just "go through the motions."

 

[OrbitalDawn]

https://twitter.com/uber_rsa

Following the M1 highway bridge collapse, we're offering free rides up to R250 to & from Gautrain stations until 9pm tonight. Stay safe.

 

[crackersa]

This is crazy. If this was negligence, hope there is jail time.

 

[Nokkie]

Family of taxi driver and other person will getting their Christmas bonus early this year.

Make them pay.

You sound like my aunt

 

[schumi]

ALERT #BridgeCollapse M1 will be closed around Grayston tomorrow. Plan alternative routes http://ewn.co.za/Traffic

https://twitter.com/ewnreporter/status/654357584674205697