Cape Town - Workers from a well-known construction company sustained multiple injuries after they were rescued from an excavation which had caved in.
They were busy installing a new rising pipeline on the corner of Broadway Boulevard and Broadlands Road in Strand when the incident occurred.
Videos and pictures of emergency services and first responders at the scene circulated on social media and in crime groups on WhatsApp, shortly after the incident.
According to a Facebook post by the Helderberg Crime Watch, workers were rescued from the rubble while a pipe was stuck on the legs of another worker. AM Security Services also dispatched their vehicles to assist as services were already on the scene, the post read.
Ward councillor Sean Stacey said there were no serious injuries, but some of the workers were injured.
“I’m glad that no one was seriously injured and wish all those injured a speedy recovery,” he said.
Stacey couldn’t confirm what happened but said it is common for ground to give way on construction sites. The latest construction in the area comes just weeks before the old sewer network in Strand gets its much-needed repairs.
The 900mm Trappies Bulk Sewer system has been dealing with regular overflows and pipe bursts.
Starting from the Lourens River Sewer Pump Station, the pipe runs down Joubert Street, De Villiers Street, Fagan Street and Main Road.
A 3.1km section of the Trappies sewage line from Nazli Street to Hammond Street is set to be fixed.
This project aims to upgrade the ageing sewer line, and handle larger sewage volumes without the usual breakdowns, especially during heavy winter rains.
Construction is expected to begin next month and last 12 to 14 months.
byron.lukas@inl.co.za