Worker critical after fall

Two men were injured in separate accidents at construction sites yesterday; one of them was in a critical condition, the other being slightly hurt.

A 57-year-old man from Ghaxaq fell a height of some two storeys during construction work at Kind's showroom in Naxxar Road, Lija, at about 1 p.m.

Sources said the man apparently lost his balance. He was rushed to hospital where his condition was found to be critical because of the internal injuries he sustained.

In another incident at about 11.15 a.m., a 23-year-old from Hamrun was lucky to escape with minor abrasions after the roof of a house he was working in collapsed.

The weight of the falling stones caused the roof of a garage beneath to give in destroying a Fiat Punto, a boat and some furniture belonging to third parties.

The man was working on internal alterations at a house in St Mary Street, Birkirkara. Sources said he was standing on a beam while removing some bricks to open an archway when he noticed dust falling from the roof above his head.

The quick-witted worker jumped off the beam and landed on the staircase. Just then the roof collapsed. He jumped away again and managed to avoid being taken down and crushed as the next roof also caved in, the sources added.

A magisterial inquiry is under way in both cases.

Inspector Ramon Mercieca is investigating.