23.10.2008

Update on tower crane accident

We now know a little more on what happened with the tower crane collapse in China that killed five children in Zibo City, Shandong Province, China, after a tower crane collapsed on a kindergarten. See original report
Two other children were injured along with the crane operator, although local reports say that far more children than this were taken to hospital by ambulance.

We have now been sent a photograph that clearly shows that there was a slew ring connection failure, allowing the cranes superstructure to become detached from its tower. The photo suggests that this was a simple slew ring bolt failure.
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The cranes superstructure seperated from the tower at the slew ring