Coimbatore: The incessant rains and an open pit cost the life of a sanitary worker who slipped into a 10 ft water stagnant pit that had been dug up for toilet construction but was left open.
Rajendran (45) of Ramanathapuram works at ward 24 of Coimbatore corporation. He had left for work on Saturday as usual with his co-worker Srinivasan.
As they were doing their work near Sasthri Grounds in R.S. Puram, Srinivasan moved to the side to relieve himself. As the pit meant for the construction of toilet was full of water due to the heavy rains the previous night, he slipped and fell.
Unable to get out and gasping for breath in the 10 ft deep pit, the man started shouting for help. Rushing to the aid of his friend, Rajendran stood near the mouth of the pit and gave his hand so that Srinivasan could hold it and come up.
Even as Srinivasan managed to climb over and escape, in just a fraction of a second, the lose sand where Rajendran was standing caved in and he fell into the same pit.
The loose sand fell into the open pit further suffocating the sanitary worker. Though he was rescued and rushed to Coimbatore medical college and hospital, he was declared brought dead.
The relatives staged a protest against the pathetic work of the civic body in letting the pit remain dangerously open.
The deputy commissioner of corporation, P. Gandhimathy, visited the hospital. She was, however, not available for quotes despite repeated attempts.
