Many job-site accidents are the result of a lack of training and equipment failure. Don’t let that happen to you and your employees. Sign up for training or schedule your next inspection with Cranes101. But first, read on for the September 2023 accidents.
Recovery saga
This article was originally published on September 6, 2023 on Vertikal.net.
A crane overturned while setting up for a lift on a narrow road between Hamburg and Berlin in Germany last week.
The whole affair – which closed state road 9 for much of the day on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th of August – began with a truck which ran off the road. Apparently the driver, 23, had swerved to avoid a trailer loaded with hay or straw bales which had become unhitched from the vehicle towing it which had then veered across the road in front of him. He ended up careering off the side of the road along with the towing vehicle, while the trailer came to rest on the the other side. Thankfully no one was hurt.
A recovery truck was apparently sent out to recover the truck and the car, but failed to extract the truck. So, a mobile crane was summoned. As the operator set up he strangely decided to only extend the outriggers to the rear of the lift, before fully elevating the retracted boom, and as he slewed over the side the crane tipped rearwards and came to rest with the counterweight on the road. The operator was unhurt.
Another larger recovery truck arrived to put the crane back on its wheels and extract the truck. After several attempts that operator wisely called time and gave up. A larger mobile crane was ordered which managed to complete the job, with all of the vehicles involved safely recovered.
Sadly, the local police only had one photograph of the incident – or rather saga – available.
Summerhill Publix remains closed after crane falls through parking deck
This article is reprinted from the RoughDraft Atlanta article written by Collin Kelley on September 5, 2023.
The Publix at Summerhill remains closed after a crane fell through the parking deck on Saturday morning. When it will reopen is unknown at this time.
According to a report from the Atlanta Police Department, officers arrived just after 7 a.m. on Sept. 2 to find a giant hole in the top deck at 572 Hank Aaron Drive SE.
“It appears the weight of the truck exceeded the parking deck weight limit,” the report states. The truck dropped to the botttom level of the deck landing on its side.
The driver was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Branch Properties, developer of the Summerhill Station shopping center anchored by Publix, said in a written statement it was working with “appropriate authorities as they investigate the incident.”
“As of now, it appears that an unauthorized person unaffiliated with ownership drove a crane truck onto the upper level of the deck past the weight-limit warning signs,” Branch Properties said in the statement.
“The parking deck was constructed to the highest levels of safety, and repairs will begin soon so as not to disrupt shoppers further,” the company said.
Mayor Andre Dickens issued a statement about the accident saying he was “concerned about the impact this incident will have on the safety and access to food and pharmacy services” in the Summerhill neighborhood.
“Assessments and inspections by multiple parties are underway with more to come over the coming days,” Dickens said. “While there is no exact timeline for full resolution, I have been told several options for full or partial re-opening of the store and parking garage are under review by the companies involved and relevant government agencies.”
Atlanta City Councilmember Jason Winston said the Publix has “quickly become an important resource for the surrounding neighborhoods, especially since it was without a nearby grocery store for so long.”
“I’ve been in contact with Branch Properties and our city officials to ensure a coordinated approach takes place to address this with safety as a top priority,” Winston said.
A statement released by Publix said the store would remain closed and did not give a timeline for when the store would reopen.
“We are cooperating with local law enforcement and city officials on this open investigation. The safety of our associates and customers is a top priority for Publix, so at this time, our store will remain closed,” the statement said.
Dyana Bagby contributed.
Crane sinks upside down in lake, trapping operator inside. A good Samaritan found him
This article is reprinted from the Charlotte Observer, originally published on September 20, 2023.
A good Samaritan is credited with saving a man pinned upside down underwater when a crane flipped over and sank into West Tennessee’s murky McKellar Lake. It happened around 10:15 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 19, just south of Memphis, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
“A crane at the Wepfer Marine Drydock reportedly fell into the water with one crane operator inside,” officials said in a news release. “A good Samaritan on a nearby towing vessel entered the water and was able to locate the unresponsive crane operator.
Crews from two Coast Guard cutters were in the area when the crane collapsed and “used a nearby fire hose as a lifeline to pull the two people to shore,” officials said. “Once safely on the pier, the crew checked vitals of the crane operator and started to conduct cardiopulmonary resuscitation,” officials said. “The crew was able to verify a pulse and signs of life.”
The crane operator was taken to a hospital. His condition and identity have not been released. The identity of the good Samaritan was also not revealed. The cause of the incident is under investigation. McKellar Lake is 1,458-acre oxbow lake created when the Mississippi River changed its course to the west.
If you see an accident report you’d like us to feature in the blog, like the ones shown here in the September 2023 Accidents Reports, let us know. Contact heather@cranes101.com with the information.