Labourer killed while working on school building

A labourer was killed yesterday after a section of a building that he was working on collapsed on him.

According to reports, about 1:30 p.m., two men were carrying out construction work on a section of the Balcombe Drive Primary and Infant School in Waterhouse when it gave way and fell on them. One of the men died on the spot and the other was transported to the Kingston Public Hospital.

The contractor for the project told THE STAR that just minutes earlier, he had told both men not to begin working as he was waiting on props for support.

“It is the first time that they are working for me. It was somebody that I asked for workers and they send the two men. Everybody talk to dem and tell them don’t do anything until I get back and now this happen. I don’t even eat from morning the way I am stressed,” he said.

A resident also said that he and other community members had warned the men about the danger that lurked ahead.

“A construction work mi do and mi tell dem say there is no way dem can a try take down building and a dig from under the bottom with two big, full water tank on the top. Mi say even a staff come out and talk to dem and a bare attitude. Next ting mi know we just hear a loud noise and the place tremble. When we look, him broke up and fold up under the concrete. Him dead on the spot. We couldn’t even help him, a just the next man we could help. A the firemen dem have to come pull him out,” the resident said.

As she looked inside the school yard at the body that was curled up under a fabric covering, a woman described the incident as extremely unfortunate.

“This really said because this man has a family a wait for him at home. Him probably a hurry the job so him can finish back-to-school shopping and now this. This morning (yesterday) students were here for orientation, but thankfully they had left before it happen. A yellow tape was put around the section where the man dem did a work, so no children never go over that section. But now we have to wonder if it would collapse even if the man dem never touch it. All of this just really sad,” she said.