A 70-year-old motorcyclist narrowly avoided a fatal accident when he collided with a steel drill pipe that unexpectedly pierced the ceiling of a motorcycle underpass in New Taipei City on Thursday. The incident, which took place in the Tamsui District, highlights the risks associated with nearby construction work.
Close Call for Motorcyclist in Tamsui District
The motorcyclist, identified by his surname Lai (è³´), was traveling through the underpass around noon when the steel pipe suddenly pierced the ceiling above him. In an effort to avoid the hazardous obstacle, Lai fell from his motorcycle, suffering abrasions in the process.
A witness to the incident described it as a “close call,” emphasizing that the motorcyclist narrowly avoided a much worse fate. The witness added, “If he had been riding his bike a little faster, the pipe could have impaled him.”
Construction Error Leads to Dangerous Situation
The New Taipei City Police reported that the incident was caused by a construction error. Employees from a construction company were conducting drilling work for a water level observation well near the underpass when the accident occurred. A pile driver, a heavy-duty construction tool, was used during the drilling, and a measurement error resulted in the drill pipe puncturing the underpass ceiling.
According to the New Taipei City Public Works Department’s New Construction Office, the contractor made an ad hoc adjustment to the drilling location after encountering an initial obstruction, which ultimately led to the pipe breaking through the ceiling.
Full Responsibility Taken by Contractor
The New Construction Office confirmed that the contractor would face a severe penalty due to the mistake and the potential danger caused by the construction error. They also expressed their regret over the incident, confirming that the injured motorcyclist’s condition is stable.
“The contractor will face a heavy penalty under the terms of the contract,” the office said in a statement, adding that the incident occurred due to an “inadvertent error” while performing drilling work.
Underpass Reopens After Incident
Following the incident, the motorcycle underpass was temporarily closed to allow for the removal of the drill pipe and to ensure safety measures were taken. Traffic was allowed back through the underpass by 4 p.m. the same day, after safety checks were completed.
Key Information on the Drill Pipe Incident in Tamsui District
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Date of Incident | Thursday, [Date] (around noon) |
| Location | Tamsui District, New Taipei City |
| Injured Individual | 70-year-old motorcyclist surnamed Lai (è³´) |
| Cause of Incident | Steel drill pipe pierced underpass ceiling due to construction error |
| Construction Equipment Involved | Pile driver used for drilling work near water level observation well |
| Injuries Sustained | Abrasions from falling off motorcycle |
| Contractor’s Responsibility | Full responsibility for the incident taken; contractor faces a heavy penalty |
| Underpass Reopened | Traffic reopened at 4 p.m. |
| Public Reaction | The incident highlights safety concerns regarding nearby construction work |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What caused the steel drill pipe to pierce the underpass ceiling?
The steel drill pipe pierced the underpass ceiling due to a measurement error made by the construction workers while using a pile driver for drilling work on a nearby water level observation well.
Q2: How did the motorcyclist avoid a worse injury?
The motorcyclist, identified as Lai, narrowly avoided being impaled by the steel pipe by attempting to steer clear of the obstacle, which led to him falling off his motorcycle and sustaining abrasions.
Q3: What actions are being taken regarding the construction error?
The New Taipei City Public Works Department has taken full responsibility for the incident. The contractor is facing a heavy penalty for the error that led to the dangerous situation.
Q4: Was the injured motorcyclist severely hurt?
The injured motorcyclist suffered abrasions, but his condition is stable, according to the authorities. He did not sustain any life-threatening injuries from the fall.
Q5: When was the motorcycle underpass reopened?
The motorcycle underpass was closed temporarily following the incident for safety reasons but was reopened for traffic by 4 p.m. after the necessary checks and removal of the drill pipe.
