The boom of a crane being transported slewed in to the road and caught a school bus in Hillsboro, Oregon yesterday.
The boom struck the bus with such force that it lifted it off the ground, but narrowly missed hitting the driver full on. He was though taken to hospital with rib and shoulder injuries. Thankfully the children had already been dropped off and only the drive was on board.
The crane, an old truck mounted Link Belt was being transported on a low boy trailer when the superstructure lock gave way, or was never secured in the first place, allowing the boom to swing out in the oncoming bus.
Vertikal Comment
Everyone involved was very lucky here, with different timing this could so easily have been a major tragedy. The boom does not appear to have been tied down or blocked at all, either that or any tie downs were not sufficient to hold the boom as it slewed free.
Whether a boom lift, 360 degree telehandler or a crane Superstructure slew should be pin locked where possible and the boom and or superstructure strapped down securely. The damage that can result from a free swinging boom on the road is devastating and usually proves fatal to innocents who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time
Author; Unknown
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