24.05.2015

Double boom fatality in Albuquerque

A man and a 12 year old boy died yesterday, while three other boys were injured, after the boom lift they were taking a ride in overturned in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA.

One of the boys aged 10 and the seven year old are in critical condition -, while the other 10 year old is now in a stable condition.

The man, Ken Raschick - owner of Kens Tree Co - took the four boys up in the boom lift while it was sitting on the back of a delivery trailer. He telescoped the boom to near full height, and according to local police reports, a gust of wind brought the machine crashing down. In reality the fact that the lift was sitting on a trailer and that it was close to being overloaded is more likely to have caused the overturn.
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We have been told that this is a photo take shortly before the machine went over

A witness said Raschick attempted to protect the children as the platform went over, by putting himself in front of them. He died at the scene, while the 12 year old died while en-route to the hospital.
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The scene after the machine went over

UPDATE
A third fatality has been recorded - seven year old Kevin Raschick - died from his injuries on Friday 29th May. The 10 year old Bobby Raschik is said to be stable, while the other 10 year old - a neighbours chiled - is on a life support machine. The 12 year old was Raschik's nephew Zander Rutherford

Vertikal Comment

This incident is beyond comment at this time! It is clearly though a major major tragedy for one or more families, hopefully the three children will survive and make a full recovery.