2nd LD Writethru: Steel beam falls, killing 4 in central Taiwan

A steel beam fell from a crane at a light rail construction site in central Taiwan's Taichung city on Friday afternoon, killing at least four people, according to eyewitnesses.

Four workers were injured and hospitalized after a steel beam lifted by a crane fell from about three stories high onto cars on Beitun Road during rush hour at around 05:04 pm.

Three workers were confirmed dead in the tragedy. The deceased and four other injured colleagues were attempting to put the steel beam onto concrete pillars.

Four cars passing by were crushed by the 43-meter long, 200 ton steel beam, leading to the death of at least one female driver.

The injured workers suffered fractures, brain hemorrhages, dislocated limbs and lung injuries, doctors said.

"It was too frightening," said a driver surnamed Kuo who was barely missed by the falling beam. "I saw in my car the steel beam is shaking badly up there before it fell. So I swerved my car and rammed into the doorstep of a house on the roadside."

Other witnesses living near the site said they heard a great bang outside then came out to find the unbelievable scene.

Chu Jin-loong, a labor official who arrived at the scene, said it was improper for construction units to carry out the operation during rush hour.

Chu said authorities have ordered the construction unit to suspend operation at the section as they have found flaws in the construction process.

The exact cause of the accident was under investigation. Endit