17.04.2009

Driver flips crane

A crane operator has failed a breathalyser test after he ‘rolled’ a four axle crane last week after failing to negotiate a fast turn at an intersection in Mudgee, Australia.

The accident occurred last Wednesday after the driver failed to negotiate a turn in Mudgee, New South Wales, around 200kms north of Sydney, Australia.

The operator came up on an intersection in fog and unable to stop, tried to take the sharp turn rolling the crane which finally came to rest upside down outside the Old Budgee Budgee Inn.
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The crane received a fair bit of damage as a result of its roll

The crane, a four axle Grove All Terrain, is owned by Allstate Cranes of Sydney and is just four months old. It was finally recovered on Wednesday- a week after the accident, after two larger cranes were called in from Muswellbrook.

The crane driver has had his licence suspended after testing positive to alcohol. The accident occurred early on Wednesday morning in foggy conditions as the crane was driving towards Mudgee.

Acting inspector David Pearce of Mudgee police said: “The driver failed to see the intersection due to the heavy fog, he braked and tried to negotiate the turn as the vehicle went through the intersection. The vehicle then rolled onto its roof.”

“The driver was breath tested at the scene where he returned a positive reading. this was later supported at a breath test at Mudgee police where he returned a mid-range reading. His licence has been suspended and he will appear in Mudgee local court next week charged with drink driving.”