15.04.2009

Vandals wreck crane

A group of youths in Kokomo Indiana started a 75 ton lattice boom crawler crane up last week and reversed it 30 metres into a ditch, wrecking its boom and jib.
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The damaged crane

The crane was working for HIS Constructors on a new bridge site on Route 31 north of Indianapolis, when the youths managed break in overnight and ‘hot-wire’ the crane. They then reversed it in the dark over a number of pre-cast concrete panels until it reached the ditch. As the crane reached the point of balance and tipped in, the shock loading on the boom caused it to buckle against the stops, completely wrecking it.

The crane was rented from cranes and access rental company RH Marlin of Indianapolis and is being assessed for damage. The boom was cut free from the crane over the weekend.

The local sheriff said that investigators believe that three teenagers touring the neighbourhood on ATV’s and arrested for another offence on the same night were responsible for the vandalism.