Police said today they are looking for the operator of a crane which caused the roof of a school gym to partially collapse, injuring 10 schoolgirls, including one with serious head trauma, while the companies doing the work have so far ignored summons to appear.
In the early hours of the morning, police obtained an arrest warrant for the missing operator, who faces charges of negligence stemming from yesterday’s incident in which materials came crashing down on the private, all-girls Assumption Convent School in Bangkok’s Bang Rak district.
Crane falls on Bangkok school gymnasium full of schoolgirls
“He fled some time yesterday. By the evening, he was nowhere to be found. We currently don’t know where he is but have obtained an arrest warrant for him around 2am this morning,” Bang Rak police chief Duangchote Suwannajarat told Coconuts Bangkok today.
Duangchote added that six contractors were responsible for the renovation of the building. Representatives have been summoned from each for questioning, but none had shown up at the police station as of this morning.
“If they don’t show up today, we will start obtaining warrants for each company,” he said, adding that the officials are not sure which company is responsible for which part of the construction.
Police are waiting to receive contracts for the project to determine who the crane belonged to.
While the other nine students who sustained minor injuries have been released from the hospital, one 14-year-old remains in critical condition at Lerdsin Hospital with a fractured skull. Police said a metal sheet that fell from the school gymnasium’s roof struck her head, knocking her unconscious. Doctors are still closely monitoring the girl’s condition for fear of internal bleeding.
“Doctors say she’ll be out of the woods after we observe her for a full 24 hours,” said Duangchote.
Last night, Bangkok Gov. Aswin Kwanmuang announced that he’d removed the head of the district’s public works department from his position.
“After questioning relevant agencies, I’ve discovered that the [River Garden residences] was making illegal modifications to the building that they did not obtain permission for,” he said, adding that it was the fifth time the crane had improperly released its load since construction began in early April.
“I’ve had a meeting with different departments and ordered all district offices to inspect construction cranes and large billboards in their area,” Aswin added.
Assumption Convent School, which sent students home shortly after the incident, was closed today. “The school will be checking the safety of the campus. … We will open Friday,” admins said on the school’s Facebook page.
Construction accidents, particularly involving cranes, are all too common across Bangkok. Despite vows to prosecute those responsible, construction company owners and site supervisors are rarely held accountable, with low-paid migrant laborers usually made to answer.
Duangchote added that six contractors were responsible for the renovation of the building. Representatives have been summoned from each for questioning, but none had showed up at the police station as of this morning.
“If they don’t show up today, we will start obtaining warrants for each company,” he said, adding that the officials are not sure which company is responsible for which part of the construction.
Police are waiting to receive contracts for the project to determine who the crane belonged to.
