01.08.2026

Boom overturn

A man was badly injured on Wednesday in the small town of Sunrise Beach, Missouri, between St Louis and Kansas City in the USA.

The lift, an 86ft JLG 860SJ boom lift from the Equipment Share fleet, was working on a residential building at a height of around six metres. The lift was located on built-up ground and on the edge of an unstable slope. It overturned, throwing the man onto some form of ramp to a dock. We assume he was not wearing an attached harness.

The man was airlifted to hospital, where his condition is unknown. The lift also leaked fuel, which the emergency services say they have contained with the help of the rental company.

Many thanks to our man on the spot for the picture and extra info - who preferred not to be named.

Vertikal Comment

We have not seen the full project that this lift was working on, but initial reports and a look at the ground conditions scream ‘wrong machine for the job’ or rather the ground conditions. A smaller lift, or a lighter one such as a spider or trailer lift, might have been more suitable - Or more precautions taken over making up the ground. A harness and short lanyard might also have helped?

The JLG 860SJ weighs around 17 tonnes, with single wheel loads reaching as much as seven tonnes in some configurations.

Hopefully the operator will make a full recovery, with both he, his employer - and others - gaining valuable knowledge from the experience.