Engineer charged over bridge collapse

CHAT NAT: An engineer has been charged with recklessness causing injuries over the collapse of a concrete section during the construction of a 574-metre bridge across the Chao Phraya River on Sept 30, police said.

Pol Col Chatpimuk Meemuk, superintendent of Muang police station, said the project engineer, Prapon Buasuang, has been questioned and charged with recklessness causing injuries to others.

Four construction workers were injured on Saturday afternoon when a concrete section of the bridge under construction broke and fell into the river below.

One was working on the collapsed section while the three others were working under the bridge. Three were left in critical condition — the most severely injured having suffered a fractured skull.

According to Pol Col Chatpimuk, the engineer has been temporarily released and will be summoned for further questioning after authorities conclude their probe into the incident.

Construction has been suspended pending the results of the investigation. The bridge is being built across the Chao Phraya River to connect Nong Rahaeng village in tambon Ban Kluay with tambon Tha Chai.

Engineering Institute of Thailand (EIT) representatives inspected the site on Monday.

Meanwhile, Mr Prapon said the remaining part of the collapsed section will be dismantled and a safety evaluation will be conducted by the EIT before work on the project resumes.

He said the bridge’s entire structure is unlikely to be compromised by the collapsed section.

According to EIT chairman Thanet Wirasiri, who joined the inspection, the concrete collapse was likely to be caused by the current eroding shoring materials.