The Nonthaburi Highway District has ordered a halt to construction of the M81 motorway after a 40-tonne concrete beam fell onto a Highway Police booth.
Bang Yai police were called to respond to the incident on Kanchanaphisek Road late Friday night. When they arrived with emergency responders, they found the slab had crushed the booth’s radio room, lavatory and a section of its parking lot.
The beam was to be part of a support pillar for the M81 motorway currently being constructed to connect Bang Yai district and Kanchanaburi province. It reportedly came loose while being lifted by crane to be placed on a base pillar.
The incident injured Krisada Racha, a 25-year-old construction worker directing the crane. He sustained hip and back injuries and was taken to Kasemrad Hospital. He was no longer in critical condition, according to reports.
Reporters visiting the site of the incident on Saturday morning observed that the beam had been removed. An officer manning the area said no personnel were in the box during the accident, as they had been moved to another location earlier for safety reasons.
Nonthaburi Highway District director Suwit Rodpai said the cause of the incident is under investigation. He has ordered safety precautions to be bolstered, including equipment inspections, and has ordered a temporary stoppage of work until checks are completed.
Government spokeswoman Tipanan Sirichana said on Tuesday the new motorway linking Bang Yai and Kanchanaburi was 88% finished and it would be ready for testing next year.