1 dead, 7 hurt as lintel collapses

LUDHIANA: One labourer was killed and seven others injured when the lintel of an under-construction building of a school in BRS Nagar collapsed on Tuesday evening. It is alleged that ''negligence'' of a private contractor caused the mishap.
Police said the eight labourers were working on the fourth floor of the under-construction building of Sacred Heart Convent School.As the construction material was ''sub-standard'', the lintel fell on them, they added. Those working there said police and fire brigade reached the spot late. ''We had retrieved all the injured before they reached here,'' they added.
Amrita Prasad, a worker who was present at the accident site, said the incident took place at 5pm. ''I was also working there, but in another section. After the lintel collapsed, we rushed to the site and helped the injured labourers.'' The deceased worker has been identified as Chuttan Khan, a resident of Madhya Pradesh. Those injured include Prem Lal, Raju, Nathu and Ramu. The remaining are yet to be identified.
Additional station house officer of Sarabha Nagar police station Bant Singh said, ''Due to the negligence of the private contractor, the incident took place. A case will be registered against him under Section 304-A (death due to negligence).''
About the condition of the labourers, Dr Anupreet of Ludhiana Medicity said, ''A patient is critically injured... it is difficult to say anything about his condition. Other patients have received several injuries on neck, head, eyes and legs.''
The private contractor had fled the spot after the incident.