THREE construction workers have been killed in a horrific accident after being mown down by a steamroller on a Brazilian highway.
The shocking tragedy unfolded during works on the busy BR-163 highway in Sorriso, Mato Grosso, on Wednesday, September 10.
6
6
6
The giant machine rolled forward, striking the unsuspecting crew and leaving devastation in its path.
Two of the men were killed instantly while a third was rushed to hospital in a desperate fight for life.
But despite frantic efforts from medics, he later died of his injuries.
The victims were later named as Iury Suellington Andrade da Silva, Francisco de Albuquerque Silva and Jordel Freitas Cupertino dos Anjos.
All three had only just started the job, having been hired less than a month ago by the Nova Rota do Oeste consortium overseeing the works.
Harrowing images shared online showed two of the victims lying lifeless on the tarmac after the steamroller ploughed into them.
The disturbing scenes have sent shockwaves across Brazil and raised urgent questions about how such a slow, noisy vehicle could mow down three men before being stopped.
Investigators are now probing the chain of events that led to the tragedy.
One of the key questions for detectives is how a machine that typically crawls forward at walking pace managed to strike not one but three workers in succession.
Experts are examining whether there were failings in communication, visibility, or safety measures on site.
They also want to know why the men were unable to move clear in time – and how the driver failed to see them in his path.
The Civil Police, Politec forensic team and the Federal Highway Police are all investigating.
In a statement, Nova Rota do Oeste said it “regrets the deaths, responded immediately after being notified, and is cooperating with investigators.”
The company pledged to support the inquiry and review safety protocols as questions mount over how such a catastrophic failure could occur.
Meanwhile, the Mato Grosso government has expressed its condolences to the families, friends and co-workers of the victims.
Tributes have begun pouring in for the three men, who went to work on a normal Wednesday morning and never came home.
It comes after another construction worker died after being buried beneath six feet of dirt when a trench collapsed in Arizona.
Ronald Andrew Baquera Jr., known as Ronnie, 44, was working on a site in Goodyear on Monday when the ground suddenly gave way.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene near Citrus and Lower Buckeye roads just after 1pm on July 28, reports local affiliate ABC15 News.
Workers had been desperately trying to free Ronnie, but rescuers soon realised that as more soil was pulled out, even more kept collapsing inward.
Sensitive gas lines meant crews had to use specialised equipment as the frantic rescue turned into a gruelling 13-hour recovery.
At around 2am on July 29, the 44-year-old’s body was finally retrieved from the trench.
6
6
6
