Grayston drive bridge collapse triggers concern

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The collapse of a temporary structural bridge over the M1 highway at Grayston Drive off-ramp near Sandton, has raised concerns about safety standards in SA's bridge construction.

Johannesburg Metro Police spokesperson Superintendent Edna Mamonyane confirmed the pedestrian bridge next to the Grayston Bridge collapsed at 4pm this afternoon.

Two people tragically died while 21 others were injured.

The company responsible for building the temporary bridge, Murray & Roberts has expressed concern over the incident.

Ed Jardim, spokesman for Murray & Roberts, confirmed that the construction on the bridge was done by the company.

“We’re very concerned about those injured. This is a very busy highway and this was an active site,” he said.

Jardim said he was not aware at this stage of any construction workers being injured.

"We’ve been informed that that there are two fatalities and three people are still trapped. Murray & Roberts offers its condolences to the families of the deceased and sympathy to those injured," said the company.

The City of Johannesburg promised an independent investigation by engineers into the cause of the collapse.

Several cars were believed to have been stationary‚ stuck in traffic‚ when the bridge fell. Reports from motorists on the highway indicated that steel girders had pierced car roofs‚ trapping those inside.

ER24 spokesman Chitra Bodasing said that they were dispatching additional paramedics from the city and its surrounding areas.

“The situation is fluid. Paramedics are battling on the scene‚ treating patients and trying to stabilise those that they are treating. More paramedics are being sent to the scene to help in assisting other motorists who are injured.”

The Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Cllr Parks Tau is currently on route to the site of the incident to establish the facts first hand.

Murray & Roberts Holdings shares fell the most in more than four and a half years after a bridge collapsed. The stock dropped 7.3% to R11.15 at the close on the JSE — the most since February 2011 — extending its decline for the year to 48%.