Four arrested for negligence in Mount Herzl tragedy
Stage Design reportedly purchased company responsible for Maccabiah bridge disaster
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Police are investigating Stage Design, the company responsible for erecting the lighting rig that collapsed on Mount Herzl on Wednesday, in order to determine whether negligence caused the collapse that took the life of 2nd-Lt. Hila Betzaleli, 20, and injured several others.
A cable connecting lighting fixtures was said to have torn, resulting in the collapse, Ynet reported.
Several owners of the company and other individuals involved were questioned Wednesday night in connection with the investigation. Four people were arrested, Channel 2 reported, on suspicion of criminal negligence.
Stage Design’s attorney reportedly stated that the structure had been checked by a third-party engineer with no connection to the company. Furthermore, the lawyer was reported to have said that the company bore no responsibility.
In a separate report, Channel 1 said Wednesday evening that a number of years ago Stage Design purchased the company that built the Maccabiah bridge that collapsed in 1997 as athletes were crossing it, resulting in the deaths of four and injuring dozens.
Initial reports, including eyewitness testimony, suggested that a strong gust of wind caused the rigging to teeter and collapse. Only a few hours later, however, event organizers were casting doubt on that theory and saying that human error was likely the actual cause.
There were also reports that concerns regarding the stability of the structure had been voiced a number of days prior to the collapse.
The Times of Israel Community.