Israeli Reservist Killed by Falling Marble Slab at Construction Site
A 34-year-old Israeli reservist was crushed to death by a falling marble slab at a Samaria construction site on his 34th birthday, as investigators probe a possible safety failure.
A 34-year-old Israeli reservist was killed Thursday morning when a heavy marble slab collapsed on him at a construction site in the Samaria community of Sha'arei Tikva, in what rescue workers described as a devastating workplace accident.
The incident occurred at approximately 9:00 a.m. near the community's amphitheater on Granit Street. According to initial reports, the victim was struck when a large marble surface being lifted by a crane or unloaded from a truck collapsed and pinned him underneath. He was found unconscious with no pulse and no respiration, suffering severe multi-system injuries.
Magen David Adom paramedic Tomer Gusman described the scene: "We were led to the worker. He was trapped under the heavy load, unconscious, with no pulse and no breathing. While firefighters carried out the complex rescue operation, we performed the necessary medical checks, but unfortunately his injuries were fatally severe and we were forced to declare his death at the scene."
United Hatzalah EMTs David Akerman and Dudi Nagar, who also responded, said co-workers at the site told them in distress that a very heavy surface had fallen on the victim from a truck during routine work.
ZAKA volunteers from the Samaria district,Or Shalit and Pinchas Luria, described arriving to a harrowing scene, saying they worked for hours at the site to preserve the dignity of the deceased.
The accident occurred on the victim's 34th birthday.
Israel Police and Labor Ministry workplace accident investigators have opened a joint investigation to determine whether the cause was a mechanical failure in the lifting equipment or a safety protocol breach at the site.
