Murray & Roberts starts probe into bridge scaffolding collapse

October 15, 2015 11:38 AM

Emergency services officials said three people were killed during the incident while 19 were injured.

South Africa's Murray & Roberts starts probe into bridge scaffolding collapse

South African construction firm Murray & Roberts Holdings has started a probe into the collapse of a bridge support structure over one of South Africa's busiest motorway, the company said on Thursday.

Recommended articles

"The cause of the incident has not yet been determined and the company is working closely with the relevant authorities on the investigation," Murray & Roberts said in a statement.

Independent investigators have been appointed, but finding the cause of the collapse could take weeks, if not months, said Eduard Jardim, a spokesman for the company.

Shares in Murray & Roberts recovered somewhat after a 7 percent drop on Wednesday, climbing 4.8 percent to 11.69 rand by 0817 GMT, compared to a 1.2 percent rise in the Johannesburg Securities Exchange's Construction and Materials index.

The mangled structure sprawled across Johannesburg'sM1 highway near a busy offramp leading to the Sandton financial district, caused hours of delays for motorists during evening peak traffic on Wednesday and again on Thursday morning.

Ben Bassey

Enhance Your Pulse News Experience!

Get rewards worth up to $20 when selected to participate in our exclusive focus group. Your input will help us to make informed decisions that align with your needs and preferences.

I've got feedback!