Crane Strikes Power Line; Three Workers Down, PA

Times Leader ^ | 08/21/03 | Associated Press

[m1-lightning]

TELFORD, Pa. - A crane struck a power line Thursday morning at a concrete plant, injuring three workers, an emergency official said.

Rescuers could not immediately reach the men because the downed line was live, Bucks County emergency management spokesman John Dougherty said.

Rescuers were on the scene of JDM Materials in Telford. The suburban Philadelphia plant makes ready-made concrete.

No word on the status of the workers. Fox News also reporting this.

[m1-lightning]

I guess this happens quite often too.

Crane accidents claim about 50 lives per year. These accidents most frequently occur because of crane instability that results from unsecured loads, overloading, or unlevel ground conditions. Crane instability often causes the crane to tip over, and the crane operator or others can be injured. Another major cause of crane accidents is the lack of communication between the crane operator and others. Many crane accidents also occur when the crane comes into contact with a power line.

Government investigation into crane accidents

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

Good thing it wasn't a finch.

[HEY4QDEMS]

Ketchup boy and Hitlery, will make a statement shortly, explaining why this is Bush's fault.

[Cold Heat]

I was in the crane industry for some five years.(tower cranes)Lost many friends.

Too bad there is nobody left to learn from the mistake they made.

[OXENinFLA]

We have a problem here in JAX of drivers leaving cranes up while driving down the interstate.

[Blood of Tyrants]

About 4 years ago I was at a jobsite in Nebraska where the WIND blew over a 130 foot Manitowock mobile crane. It was parked and not in use at the time and it's boom was pointed into the wind as per proper procedures when the wind picked up the boom and blew it over backwards. I was about 200 feet away in a trailer when I both heard and felt it fall. Luckily no one was hurt and nothing besides the crane was damaged.

[m1-lightning]

Ketchup boy and Hitlery, will make a statement shortly, explaining why this is Bush's fault.

I wouldn't doubt it since this has been a problem since at least the 1980's.

[m1-lightning]

We have a problem here in JAX of drivers leaving cranes up while driving down the interstate.

That's ridiculous! Was that recent?

[m1-lightning]

It was parked and not in use at the time and it's boom was pointed into the wind as per proper procedures when the wind picked up the boom and blew it over backwards.

If the boom was horizontal, that would have to be quite a wind gust.

[kattracks]

3 Pa. Workers Die in Crane Accident

TELFORD, Pa., Aug 21, 2003 (AP Online via COMTEX) -- A crane struck an overhead power line at a concrete plant and burst into flame Thursday, and three workers were electrocuted, emergency officials said.

Rescuers could not immediately reach the bodies because the downed line was live, said Montgomery County Public Safety Director Tom Sullivan.

One worker was apparently shocked first. When colleagues rushed over to help, two more were killed, a Bucks County spokesman said.

The accident at the JDM Materials plant in Telford in suburban Philadelphia left the crane a smoking ruin. Electrical current to the power line was later shut off, Sullivan said.

[DCBryan1]

One worker was apparently shocked first. When colleagues rushed over to help, two more were killed, a Bucks County spokesman said.

Better love hath no man that he lay down his life for another.

[2Jedismom]

They tried anyway...God bless 'em.

[justlurking]

When colleagues rushed over to help, two more were killed, a Bucks County spokesman said.

High voltage lines can electrify the ground around them. It isn't necessary to touch one.

If you ever find yourself near a downed line, hop away from the point of contact, or at least take tiny steps. If you span the ground with a sufficient distance between your feet, your legs can become the path of least (electrical) resistance.

[StriperSniper]

If you span the ground with a sufficient distance between your feet, your legs can become the path of least (electrical) resistance.

Good to know.

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

Sad to see this.

I have a crane question for you. When i'm out and about, I sometimes see unattended cranes with small equipment raised on the hook. Usally compressors and other small trailer type contstruction equipment. Is this just to secure the item or does this help the crane by keeping some stress on the cables?

[OXENinFLA]

Yeah that one happened back in June, and there was another about 3 months prior to that.

[JDoutrider]

It's done to prevent theft...

[OldFriend]

Amen!

Reminds me of the young men who died in a drowning accident last week. They jumped into the roiling water to save a friend and all four lost their lives.

I believe there is a special place in heaven for these heroes and I pray too for the families who suffer such losses.

[oyez]

Better love hath no man that he lay down his life for another.

True, but more and more companies are adopting a policies of letting them lay untill the Fire Department arrives.