Investigative Teams Maintain Silence Over Lift Disaster

Published : July 26, 2010 :: 15:07:34 [ 2,431 views ]

As yet, no explanation has been provided by the company responsible for maintenance of the lift which plummeted 10 floors injuring 16 people on Saturday. Investigations are ongoing between the maintenance company and local Pattaya police, who have been reluctant to comment on the incident.

Pattaya, the 25^th of July 2010 [PDN]: Following the devastating lift accident at the Welcome Jomtien Hotel on Saturday, in which 16 people were seriously injured, investigative teams examining the incident stated that details would not be released until the analysis was completed.

As of Monday morning, the lift, which plummeted 10 floors before slamming into the ground level of the hotel, remains stuck at the base of the lift shaft. An unnamed representative from the investigative team suggested that it might take up to one week to understand the full cause of the accident.

Reportedly, the company responsible for the maintenance of the lift, a Thai-American joint venture, stated that the group had been responsible for the lifts at the Welcome Jomtien Hotel for over 10 years without a prior incident.

Lift maintenance teams have since met with lead investigative officer Lieutenant Colonel Tarathep Toopanich to discuss the company’s policies and the ongoing investigations.

The company has revealed that it will fully cover the cost of all damages and the medical costs of those affected by the accident, while Lt. Col. Toopanich revealed that statements from the injured are still being obtained.

Mr. Watchara Polsrila [29] one of the injured in Saturdays accident, explained that all the people in the lift had entered at the 18^th floor following the completion of a business seminar. He stated, “no lights or emergency warnings sounded prior to the lift falling.”

According to the maintenance company, the lift had a declared “safe” weight capacity of 1000kg (approximately 10-15 people).

Comments

samesame

said :

Its bound to be a farangs fault it could never be a Thais or even a case of somone faking the service and inspection reports.

Email : j.bradley44@yahoo.com Date : 2010-11-24 08:21:46

Sally

said :

A great way to lose weight and stay safe...Use the stairs.

Email : sally4justice@gmail.com Date : 2010-07-27 10:05:11

Bob

said :

Harry is right, it's obvious this thing did not "freefall" 10 stories or everyone inside would be as dead as if they had fallen 10 stories. Just seems nit picky to point it out.

Email : Bob@toobad.com Date : 2010-07-26 21:18:25

harry

said :

The brakes did work, otherwise everyone in that lift would be dead.
Probably just poor maintenance, but most lifts have a max cap. of less than half of this one.

Email : harry@harmony.com Date : 2010-07-26 20:14:12

beenhere@toolong.com

said :

I'm getting ready for the upcoming announcement of the new high speed lifts in Jomtien.

China may have high speed trains but the real business is in high speed lifts as it can carry more bargirls per hour which means more hotel charges for extra occupancies.

Beerbars love it. It means faster return to the bar for the bargirls and the beer drinkers.

Email : beenhere@long.time.com Date : 2010-07-26 19:56:40

Elisha Graves Otis

said :

It is clear that the accident was caused by overweight farangs with their big bellies! Those persons will be arrested, prosecuted, fined with 1 Mio Baht each and deported from Thailand. The elevator company will get a bonus for the fast clarification of the circumstances of the accident.

Email : liftmeup@yahoo.com Date : 2010-07-26 17:39:23

Bob

said :

For obvious reasons, one would certainly hope that the City or the Police had their own expert look at the elevator and determine the cause BEFORE the "company responsible for maintenance" was allowed anywhere near the thing.

Email : Bob@toobad.com Date : 2010-07-26 16:34:06

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