05.04.2024

Fatal dropped load

A luffing jib tower crane dropped a large tower section onto the bridge below in Fort Lauderdale, Florida yesterday, taking one of the tower crane climbing crew with it.

From what we have been told, the team was in the process of climbing the crane and had lifted the next tower section almost to the height of the climbing frame when something gave way - possibly the chain set being used to lift the section - allowing it to drop to the bridge below.
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The scene shortly after it occurred

As it went down it apparently struck a platform on the crane tower taking the man standing there with it. It then bounced against the high rise building - a 43 storey tower that has been under construction for almost two years - and landed on the front of a car that was crossing the bridge, while punching a hole in the bridge deck.

Two people were taken to hospital for treatment, while another was treated at the scene, but apart from the man that died, no one else was seriously hurt. The incident has closed the bridge, and the waterway below.
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The crane prior to the incident occurring

Kast Construction is listed as the main contractor on the building at 333 North New River Drive, it is likely, of course that the company was not overseeing the crane operations, but yesterday the company was not taking calls on the subject.

A couple of the local news reports can be seen below




UPDATE

The man who died in the incident has been named as Jorge De La Torre, 27. A go fund me page has been set up to help his immediate family which includes two young childrene https://www.gofundme.com/f/donations-for-ft-lauderdale-crane-victims-jorge-de-la-torre

UPDATE 2 -July: - New bodycam and dashcam video has also emerged tha t shows the incident from another perspective.



UPDATE 3

OSHA has cited two companies in this case, Phoenix Rigging & Erecting and Maxim Crane Works with a total of five serious violations and proposed penalties of $61,299, the maximum it can legally recommend.

The agency’s investigation found the two contractors could have prevented the incident saving the life of the rigger who fell 30 stories.

Two men employed by Phoenix Rigging were climbing the crane at the time and were in the process of installing a new tower section when “a support cable” (Sling) failed causing it to drop and strike the platform on which the two men were standing, causing it to be “displaced”, one of them was wearing the required fall protection and was rescued, the other had not clipped on his lanyard, and died in the incident.

The agency cited Phoenix Rigging & Erecting for three serious violations for failing to: identify and replace or otherwise repair corroded and cracked pins or bolts designed to secure the crane’s climbing frame and apply end connections properly or ensure the use of fall protection equipment and conduct pre-inspections of crane components before allowing employees to start work, and ensure cranes were inspected properly by a qualified person for damage or excessive wear.

OSHA also cited Maxim Crane Works for two serious violations for failing to observe deficiencies to significantly corroded and cracked pins and bolts, and improperly applying end connections, and for allowing employees to start work without conducting pre-inspections of crane components, including but not limited to U-bolt clamps, bolts, pins, thimbles, and wire ropes, to ensure those were inspected adequately by a qualified person for damage or excessive wear.