High-rise siesta kills two painters

What was supposed to be an afternoon siesta turned deadly after five workers fell from a scaffold outside a popular mall in Quezon City yesterday.

Inspector Romulo Terado said the scaffold may have collapsed from the weight of the five men, who were sleeping on the structure after having lunch. Two painters died while their three companions were injured and brought to the East Avenue Medical Center.

Terado said John Panuelos was declared dead at 3:20 p.m., while Juan Mariano lay unconscious for hours before he died. He said doctors believe the two men suffered “extreme head injuries.”

Rafael Tala, Leonel Ortiz and Rommel Ricamera suffered fractures, but have been declared out of danger.

Terado said the scaffold was hoisted up to the second level of the Trinoma Mall’s parking building, which could be equivalent to the third floor of an ordinary building.

It is still unclear to which contractor the five painters belong. – Reinir Padua