05.08.2016
Fatal Canberra crane overturn
A man died yesterday evening when an articulated pick & carry crane overturned on a jobsite in Canberra, Australia.
The incident occurred on a new hospital development at the University of Canberra Bruce campus, being designed and constructed by Brookfield Multiplex. The crane was carrying a very large, heavy generator and was crossing uneven ground with a slight slope, the load appears to have swung to the right and pulled the crane over. We do not know at this stage if the deceased was the crane operator, a banksman/signaller or a bystander.
Please register to see all images
The scene last night
A statement from Brookfield Multiplex said: “emergency procedures were actioned and an ambulance immediately attended the site, which was then stabilised. There is no ongoing risk to anyone else on the site. The company is working hard to uncover what has happened and we will share more details when we can. Our sincerest thoughts and condolences go out to the family and co-workers of the deceased."
Please register to see all images
This photo shows the ground conditions a little better
UPDATE
We now now that the man who died was Herman Holz, 62, who was guiding the load at the time, the crane operator escaped without serious injury.
Red
Or they could have put the generator on a truck/trailer and drove it to it's destination and avoided walking a load on rough, uneven ground. So sad that a life was lost because the crew involved didn't put a little more thought into the task.
Sherm
I wonder if the move could have been done at lower risk using a tall crane positioned to lift and swing the load to the destination without negotiating rough terrain. May the victim rest in peace.