Springfield Park, Durban, 24 June 2025, at around 11:30 AM, a tragic accident at a commercial construction site off Umgeni Road has claimed one life and seriously injured four others.
Workers were erecting scaffolding approximately six metres above ground at a shopping centre when the structure gave way. ALS Paramedics arrived to total chaos, finding five men had plummeted to the ground.
Unfortunately, a male worker in his 40s was declared dead at the scene. It’s believed he suffered fatal injuries immediately upon impact. Four others, aged between their mid‑20s to late‑30s, survived with injuries ranging from moderate to critical. All were stabilised on‑site and transported to Ahmed Al‑Kadi Private Hospital via advanced life‑support teams.
Paramedics responded swiftly once emergency calls came in. Multiple ambulances and skilled life‑support personnel were dispatched to the scene. Police (SAPS) secured the area, launched an investigation, and have halted all construction activities while authorities assess the scene.
Preliminary findings suggest that the failure occurred due to scaffold collapse, though investigators have not yet pinpointed whether faulty materials, substandard setup, or other oversights were to blame. The Department of Labour and SAPS will lead the inquiry.
This isn’t an isolated incident, KZN has seen multiple construction site failures in recent months. Authorities and industry watchdogs are urging stricter scaffolding regulations, routine inspections, and accountability at the subcontractor level.
KwaZulu‑Natal’s MEC for Public Works, Martin Meyer, has expressed deep condolences and emphasized that rigorous enforcement of safety laws is urgent. The Master Builders Association and CIDB are also pushing for industry‑wide audits to prevent future tragedies.
As for the four injured men, they remain in the hospital and are receiving care. The SAPS and Labour inspectors are expected to release preliminary findings within days, and safety officials have begun reviewing nearby construction sites in the Springfield area for similar risks.
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