29.08.2007

Mechanic caught by crane

Kelly Carpenter a 24 year old apprentice from Walkerville Montana was working on a large Rough Terrain cane at the Malmstrom Air Force Base on Tuesday when a colleague started the crane and turned the wheels crushing Carpenter between the cranes tyre and its chassis frame.

Carpenter was working as an Apprentice Operator for Garco Construction of Spokane, Washington, which is upgrading housing at the base. The co-worker had no idea that Carpenter was in the wheel well.

Garco’s president, Tim Welsh, flew into Great falls yesterday to work with the Occupational Health and Safety Administration as they investigate the accident. Welsh said that the construction site will remain closed this week for OSHA's investigation.