23.10.2009

Tower crane goes down in Toronto

A tower crane collapsed today in Toronto injuring the operator and damaging the building it was working on at the corner of Dufferin Street and Steeles Avenue
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The counter jib is reported to have failed or dropped first

Local reports say that the crane was slewing when there “two or three load cracks” were heard. It seems that the counter jib/counterweight dropped first followed by the jib. Investigators suggest that bolts or pins supporting the counterweight failed.
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The jib caused some significant damage

However it is clear from the photographs that the slew ring has become detatched from the tower. Looking as though the two or three lound bangs were in fact slew ring bolts failing/popping?

Police have said that while the 51 year-old crane operator was bleeding from the head, his injuries are not believed to be serious. The crane is owned by Caribbean Tower Cranes and has been reported to be around 25 years old.

No one else was injured in the incident.

Vertikal Comment

Thankfully this accident has not created any fatalities or serious injuries. It could have been so different. With the slew ring so clearly and cleanly seperated from the tower, it certainly looks as though this is a repeat of the tragic Battersea crane accident in London.

Although it must be said that until a full investigation has been completed we really don't know. Lets hope that the Canadian investigators are a little quicker than the HSE has been in the UK in publishing a full report.