23.08.2012

Lucky escape for crane operator

A 59 year old crane operator had a lucky escape when his crane overturned in Malta earlier this week.

The crane, an ageing Coles Hydratruck owned by contractor and block manufacturer Schembri Barbros, was lifting scaffolding materials down over a part of Valetta’s historic bastion walls when it tipped.
Please register to see all images

The stricken crane on the bastion wall

Fortunately the boom struck the wall breaking through so that it and the chassis wedged in rather than going over the top. The operator managed to jump clear as the crane overturned and was unhurt.

A Resources Ministry spokesman said: “An evaluation of the damage is taking place but, according to preliminary investigations, it seems there was structural damage to the parapet wall and damage caused by the oils from the crane.”

The contractor is part of the Novus Vultus joint venture, which won a public tender to restore around six kilometres of fortifications in Valletta, Mdina, Vittoriosa and the Citadel in Gozo.