09.07.2004

Tower crane collapse causes havoc

A luffing jib tower crane working on a building site beside Crwys Road in the Cathays area of Cardiff was severely damaged in the strong winds of Wednesday night and Thursday. The crane's luffing jib was blown back over the rear of the crane by the strong winds.

Residents in Crwys Place, Rhymney Terrace and Rhymney Street in Cathays were advised by police to leave if they felt unsafe. A number of them spent Wednesday night away from home as the wind threatened to blow loose parts of the crane onto their homes. The accident occurred around 4:00pm.

Nobody was injured but a section of the road between City Road and the junction at Woodville Road was cordoned off amid fears of loose metal blowing in high winds. Commuters suffered disruption as traffic was diverted onto other main roads, increasing rush hour jams.

Trains between Cardiff's Queen Street Station and Heath were also stopped after debris fell onto the railway line. They may only restart later today.

A mobile crane has been called in to dismantle the stricken tower crane.