23.11.2016
Dual fatality from falling load
Two men were killed in New York City yesterday after a 10 metre steel beam being lifted by a mobile crane, dropped around four storeys, landing on the crane cab and hitting the signaller who was standing alongside the crane.
The incident occurred in Queens, when either the load slings snapped, or the load slipped from the slings, allowing the two tonne load to fall. The two men were identified as crane operator George Smith, 47, and flagman/signaller Alessandro Ramos, 43. The crane is owned by local crane rental company Cranes Express.
Winds were strong yesterday, said to be in the region of 20 to 30mph with gusts up to 40mph although this did not necessarily have any impact on the incident.
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The scene in Queens, New York City.
Mayor Bill de Blasio said: "We need to know of course right away whether it was mechanical, was it human error. We don’t know yet,”.
Red
"This should never had to be happened" ? I trust your crane skills are much better than your grammar.
This should never had to be happened! Was the load correctly rigged? Slings choked or 360° around the steel beam? Sufficient capacity? When using soft sling,were they protected against sharp edges?
My deepest condolences to the family and colleagues