17.07.2009

Crane accident at Madonna concert set-up

Two men have died after the 60 tonne roof of a stage being built for a Madonna concert on Sunday was dropped during a tandem lift.

Reports are numerous but sketchy, as far as we can ascertain the tubular structure roof was being raised by three or four mobile cranes rented from Mediaco, the Marseille based international crane and access rental company.
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One of the cranes in olved in the lift

Reports say that a cable snapped on one of the cranes, but does not specify if it was a sling or a hoist cable. This then overstressed the other connecting points on the roof allowing to drop to the ground striking six people or so.

One, a 52 year old French national, Charles Criscenzo, died immediately, another a 23 year old British national, Charles Prow, died in hospital from his injuries, another man, an American, was seriously injured is said to be stable, up to eight others received more minor injuries.

Photos and video from the scene at the Velodrome de Marseille show three cranes, while a fire officer interviewed by French TV was quite clear that there were four, one of which tipped over. From what we understand the three cranes left standing did not suffer any damage and were well within their capacity limits.

The concert has been cancelled.