The worker, Rais Anjum, 23, from Pakistan, was driving a forklift at the time of the collapse which killed one, and injured five others, two critically.

Rais’s fellow construction worker, also a Pakistani, told the NST the forklift driver was pinned in rubble for about four hours. As the debris was too heavy to be removed, and Rais had lost a lot of blood by then, paramedics had to act fast.

“They were left with little choice but to amputate his legs in order to save his life,” the worker explained.

The worker also said when news came in that Rais had his legs amputated, some of his colleagues broke down in tears.

“It is cruel that he had to lose his legs, but at least he is alive,” said the worker.

The pedestrian bridge that was in the midst of construction reportedly gave way at 3.30pm. It is learnt that workers were having their lunch break at the time and were seated under the bridge when the tragedy occurred.