06.03.2010

Crane tips in Plymouth UPDATED

A mobile crane tipped over earlier this week at Howard Marine, in Plymouth England, injuring the operator. The accident occurred on Howard’s Quay in Cattedown.
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The crane's boom landed in the water

The 35 year old operator was taken to hospital with head injuries. Reports on his condition are sketchy, but it is not thought that his injuries are life threatening.

The following photos came in after publication of the story, they clearly show that the crane is a aging Coles Hydratruck and that the superstrucure has broken away from the carrier due to missing and/or sheared slew ring bolts.
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The crane an old Coles Hydratruck

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The superstructure ripped off at its bearing

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There is a good deal of corrosion plus sheared bolts

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Detail of some of the sheared bolts

Vertikal Comment

This crane is both old - the last ones were built in the mid 1980's- and poorly maintained. One assumes that someone inspected this crane within the past 12 months, One has to wonder what sort of condition it was in at that time?

Thankfully no one was killed this time.