Gujarat: Bridge Collapses During Demolition, Excavator And Operator Fall Into Riverbed

According to a department official, when a portion of a bridge on the Banas river gave in during demolition, the excavator machine and its operator fell into the riverbed, although he was unharmed.

(Representational Image) (File Photo) ( Image Source :PTI )

When a portion of a bridge on the Banas river gave in during demolition in Gujarat's Banaskantha district on Friday, an excavator machine with its operator plunged into the riverbed, news agency PTI reported citing an official.

Luckily, the worker did not suffer any injuries as the excavator kept upright after falling 30 feet.

The bridge near Umbri hamlet in Kankrej taluka is approximately 70 years old and has been idle for the previous four years, according to Kalpesh Patel, executive engineer of the state Roads and Buildings Department.

According to Patel, the government had approved the construction of a new bridge at the same place, and a large piece of the existing bridge had been demolished.

On Friday, a hydraulic hammer-mounted excavator was positioned on top of the bridge to demolish the final part that connected two pillars.

A video of the incident that went viral showed the equipment plunging into the dry riverbed with bridge debris while the demolition was taking place.

Despite plunging nearly 30 feet down, the excavator did not topple and stayed erect.

"The bridge span developed cracks when the excavator was on top of it. It was a close call and the operator may not have judged that the structure may fall in such a manner. Luckily, he was not injured in the incident," Patel was quoted as saying by PTI. 

The West Banas River flows in western India. It is named after the southern Aravalli Range in Rajasthan's Sirohi District. It flows south through the West Banas Dam, Swarupganj, and Abu Road city, draining the valley between Mount Abu on the west and the easterly ridge of the Aravallis on the east.

(With Inputs From PTI)