Worker dies in jaw-cutter fall at fire-hit Chennai Silks

The victim has been identified as Sarathkumar (22). He was involved in the demolition process when the huge machine fell on him. Sarathkumar was immediately rescued by the Fire Services personnel and rushed to Royapettah Government Hospital by an ambulance stationed at the site. But he was declared ‘dead on arrival’ at the hospital.

He is survived by father Ganesan, mother Manjula and brother Vinothkumar. The demolition process was suspended for the day. 

Narrating the incident, G Selvaraj, station officer of the T Nagar fire station, said that a giant jaw-cutter, involved in razing the second and third floor of the fire-ravaged structure, lost balance as the surface heightened with the help of debris caved in. “It fell on one of the two trucks, which were involved in levelling the debris and injured its operator Sarathkumar,” he said. The other operator Sekar escaped unhurt. 

Selvaraj said that around 50 fire personnel were involved in overseeing the demolition process and nearly five fire tenders, a rescue centre and an ambulance were kept ready to meet any emergency. 

Two jaw-cutters were deployed for the demolition process, which has been going on for over a week beyond the self-imposed deadline. It began on June 2, after the State’s nod and officials had initially said that the entire process would be completed in three days.