Footbridge collapse: Three still critical, one recovering

NEW DELHI - Three of the four labourers, who were critically injured when an under-construction foot overbridge collapsed near the main venue of the Commonwealth Games here Tuesday, are still critical, while another has shown improvement, doctors said Thursday.

“Three of the four labourers are still critical and in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Two had suffered severe head injuries and are unconscious. We are observing them closely,” All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) trauma centre’s chief medical officer M.C. Mishra told IANS.

As many as 27 labourers were injured Tuesday when the elevated pedestrian crossing at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium collapsed.

“Besides we have four more patients who have suffered spine injuries and they will be kept in the hospital. Only after monitoring them for another week, we will take a decision,” he said.

Four other injured were taken to the Safdarjung Hospital and were stated to be stable.

“They have suffered multiple fractures and are being treated. All of them are stable but need to stay in hospital for some more time,” said V.K. Sharma, head of orthopaedic department at the Safdarjung Hospital.

The accident came as a major blow to India’s preparations for the Games, with the concerned authorities drawing flak from all corners.

Some 7,000 participants and officials from 71 countries and territories are expected to attend the Oct 3-14 Commonwealth Games, India’s biggest sporting event after the 1982 Asian Games.