After a two-and-half-hour rescue operation, a 24-year-old labourer was rescued from a lift pit, where he was trapped under the debris at an under-construction building on Serpentine Road near Seshadripuram on Saturday.
Fire and Emergency Department officials said that around 11.30 am, they received a call from Ramesh, a neighbour, and rushed to the spot along with three fire tenders. The victim Venkatesh, who hails from Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh, was trapped under the debris in a eight-foot deep pit dug to install a lift at the five-storey apartment, located near Kumara Krupa West. The building belongs to Shyam Gaba, who had given the work on contract. However, the contractor is absconding after the incident.
It is learnt that around seven people, including two watchmen, were at the spot when the incident took place. Venkatesh got down into the pit to lift the debris and iron pieces which were filled in it. While he ventured in, the side wall collapsed on him and he was trapped. Two labourers tried to pull him up while others ran away.
A senior official from the fire department said, “Venkatesh’s legs were twisted when he was trapped under the debris. It took about 15 personnel to finally rescue the victim, who sustained no major injuries. He was then rushed to a nearby hospital, where he is said to be stable. We also found that the building did not have any safety measures.”
Seshadripuram police registered a case of negligence against owner Gaba and the contractor.