Iron pipe falling from a building goes through windshield

A husband and wife, both bank executives, driving along Ramakrishna Road that connects the Marine Drive with Galle Road at Wellawatte had a horrifying experience when a concretefilled iron pipe fell from an apartment complex worksite and crashed through the windscreen injuring the wife.

This was revealed yesterday at the Colombo Magistrate’s Court by counsel appearing for the victims.

Senior Counsel Ian Fernando appearing with Shanika Mallawaarachchi instructed by Derrick Fernando Associates told Additional Magistrate Nishantha Pieris that the Toyota Starlet car which his client was driving was a total wreck and his wife’s leg was severely injured by the concrete-filled iron pipe which fell from a height of about 50 feet while their car was passing the Ben and Nancy Plaza Complex worksite.

He said the Complex was being built by contractors Ben and Nancy Consortium Constructions (Private) Limited. The vehicle was driven by NDB Bank Piliyandala Manager Ajantha Perera.

The counsel said the iron pipe had damaged the windscreen, the dash board and the floor board. It also severely injured his wife Michelle’s leg. She is an Executive at Nations Trust Bank.

Mr. Fernando said the incident took place on November 29 at Ramakrishna Road Wellawatte around 6.00 p.m. while they were returning home from work. They had phoned 119. While awaiting the arrival of the police, a man who was at the construction site asked them to remove the car. This they refused to do.

Thereafter Michelle was taken to hospital and on returning they found that the car had been moved from the place where it was. The counsel requested Court to remand the manager of the worksite.

The Magistrate said because the suspect had been released on police bail earlier he could not remand the suspect under Section 14 of the Bail Act. The worksite manager was released on Rs.50,000 cash bail with two sureties of one million each.