Construction worker killed after hotel demolition goes wrong in Bangkok

Construction worker killed after hotel demolition goes wrong in Bangkok

A construction worker was killed after a hotel demolition went wrong in Bangkok yesterday (March 11) evening.

Workers demolished the 11-storey building from the top in the last few weeks when they went down to the seventh floor, which gave way causing an avalanche of concrete.

Atipat Cheuanram, 43, was working in a backhoe on top of the remaining parts of the building when it crashed down and he was trapped under the debris, snapping his body in two.

Colleagues rushed to help but could only find his hips and legs.

Paramedics removed the limbs and continued the search for his torso today (March 12).

Co-worker Pasathorn Chomrat, 49, said: "I saw the backhoe falling from the building and my friend tried to jump out but he could not make it." Head of the Huai Kwang rescue foundation, Yutthana, said: "We took the worker's lower body out yesterday.

We hope we will find another piece today, it might have been buried underneath the debris, which only has very small gaps and is difficult to move.'' The team finally found the upper part of the body this afternoon.

They said that the top four floors of the building had already been demolished and the wrecking crew was down to the seventh floor, with the backhoe working on top of the building.

Atipat's devastated wife Samuean Chuenura, 43, said she was shocked after being told that her husband had died at work.

She said: "Aitpat would visit his family in the suburbs every weekend.

He was supposed to finish this job this Friday, but this accident happened." Police Major General Samrueng Sounthong said the case is being investigated by the local police and other related council offices.

He said: "All colleagues and witnesses will be further questioned.

We will also check the paperwork of the company dismantling the construction."