SA: Golf club investigation to proceed quickly says minister

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SA: Golf club investigation to proceed quickly says minister

ADELAIDE, April 3 AAP - An investigation into the fatal collapse of a roof at Adelaide'sRiverside Golf Club yesterday would be given a high priority, South Australian WorkplaceRelations Minister Michael Wright said today.

Mr Wright said state or local government would oversee an investigation into the causeof the collapse, which may also be subject to a coronial investigation.

Police were yet to release the names of two women, aged 54 and 70, who died in the collapse.

Their bodies were recovered last night after remaining trapped under debris for aboutseven hours.

Eight other women were hurt in the collapse and were treated in hospital, mostly forminor injuries.

The Riverside Club remained closed today with members and workers being offered counselling.

Mr Wright said talks between representatives of the Workplace Services Department,local council, police and engineering experts over the next day or so would establishparameters for a government investigation.

The collapse falls outside the immediate jurisdiction of Workplace Services, as noworkers were injured, while police suggest specialist engineering skills will be requiredto establish the cause of the accident.

Mr Wright said the government would provide every assistance to ensure the investigationwas given a high priority.

It would not be allowed to drag on, he said.

"Obviously the investigation must be thorough, it must be independent and it must haveexpertise attached to it," Mr Wright told ABC radio.

The minister, also the local MP for the West Lakes area, went to the Riverside clubyesterday, breaking from a state cabinet meeting.

He said the scene was like a movie set, only real.

"However, unlike a movie scene there was calmness and I think the calmness can be attributedto the way the emergency services people handled the situation," he said.

"But also to the way the people from the golf club handled it as well."

Police were also preparing a report for the state coroner who might instigate his owninvestigation into the tragedy.

AAP tjd/jmd/bwl

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