28.07.2007

Crane falls in Sotogrande

A mobile crane tipped over yesterday while dismantling a tower crane in Sotogrande, southern Spain. The crane had just removed the jib of a 50 metre tower crane and was lowering it to the ground when it went over sideways.
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The scene in Sotogrande yesterday

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Check out the outrigger positions

The falling crane and tower crane jib miraculously missed most of the surrounding buildings apart from bouncing off of a wall causing some damage. It then came to rest on top of three parked cars. No one was hurt in the accident.

The photographs of the incident indicate that incorrect outrigger set up was the cause. The crane was working over the rear and only had one outrigger beam fully extended, on the right of the operator.

With the boom partially retracted he began to slew to the right when either a reactive force or swinging load, cased the crane to tip over sideways over the retracted outrigger.
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Take a look at the rear outrigger beams

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One of three cars that suffered

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It is difficult to understand why all the outrigger beams were not extended

The authorities are investigating