18.06.2012

Runaway crane in Perth

The operator of a runaway crane in Bedfordale, near Perth, Western Australia, had a lucky escape yesterday after he failed to climb back into the cab and was trapped underneath.

The crane, a three axle Tadano truck crane from Halifax Crane Hire of Bunbury, was being set up on a residential construction plot where it was due to lift steel beams into place. As the operator was setting his outriggers though the crane started to roll and went across the road towards another house.
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The crane crashed through a fence and into a house

The operator ran after it and was trying to open the carrier cab door and climb in when he fell under and was dragged by the vehicle just before it smashed into the wall of the house.

He was pulled out by the emergency services with a badly crushed shoulder, but no serious injuries. The brunt of the collision was taken by the boom nose, which went through the wall.