06.05.2009

Aerial lift user injured

A cable repairman was seriously injured on Tuesday in Pasadena, California, after a thief jumped into the cab of the truck mounted lift he was using and drove off.

The man was working in the platform at a height of between six and nine metres, when the truck took off down the road.
The boom and platform of the lift slammed into trees and power lines eventually catapulting the man to the ground.

The man was taken to a local hospital with severe injuries but is expected to survive. The thief, 21-year-old Edwin Ramos of Pasadena was apprehended and booked at the local jail.

Vertikal Comment

This is not the first time that such an incident has occurred, in the recent past. It is clear that the units concerned are being used without outriggers. It is a shame that such vehicles are not fitted with some sort of interlock that cuts all drive functions when the boom is in the air.

Perhaps until then anyone using such a vehicle makes sure that the vehicle is jacked up as much as it will go before they head skywards. That’s assuming the unit has jacks of course.