"Prepared a 60th Birthday Event..." Families of Workers in Anyang 'Roller Death Accident'

"(The children) secretly planned a surprise event for Dad... but they couldn't even tell him about it"

On the 2nd, SBS conveyed the tragic story of Song Mo, who died in the 'roller fatal accident' in Anyang, through an interview with his wife. Photo by SBS 8 o'clock News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Soyoung] A tragic accident occurred at a road paving construction site in Anyang, Gyeonggi Province, where three workers were crushed to death by a road compactor roller. It is even more heartbreaking as one of the deceased workers (Mr. Song) had a brother who passed away in a similar accident at a construction site seven years ago.

According to the fire authorities, at around 6:41 p.m. on the 1st, three workers (two men and one woman), including a man in his 60s identified as Mr. A, died in an accident during road paving work near the Anyang Girls' High School intersection.

According to an SBS report, the wife of the deceased Mr. Song, Ms. A, recounted, "I heard about the accident around the time he was supposed to finish work. I was told he was at the hospital, so I rushed there hoping he was at least breathing."

Ms. A said she had worked alongside her late husband as a signal person at the site. Therefore, the news of such an accident at a familiar site was even more unbelievable to her.

Ms. A raised concerns, especially noting that the workers were very close to the roller machine, with their backs against it, and there was no restriction or warning. She explained, "They make sure to keep a distance between the equipment and people. They keep a few meters apart," adding, "We were always told during signaling, 'If the equipment is moving, don't get too close,' and 'People should stay at least several meters away' (to guide safely)."

Her doubts did not end there. Ms. A pointed out that her husband was responsible for laying pipes, while the road paving crew was separate, yet her husband was assigned to a different task, which she questioned.

Meanwhile, it was reported that the family had been preparing a surprise gift, including a postponed family trip, to celebrate Mr. Song’s upcoming 60th birthday (hoegap).

Ms. A expressed her grief, saying, "Next year is my husband's 60th birthday. So the kids planned a surprise event for him, secretly arranging a limousine and a trip without telling him," adding, "But I couldn't even tell him about that."