The operator had just completed driving the last piling for a new bulkhead behind a residential address when a section of piling fell off the edge of the barge and pulled the 35t capacity crane with it.
Bulkheads are a waterside stabilisation method that creates a vertical wall on the shoreline.
As the crane, which is owned by Cherry Marine Construction, tilted towards the water, the operator was able to scramble free and swim to safety. The 45ft boom hit the bottom and stuck into the base of the lagoon.
Fortunately, the incident did not cause much damage and nobody was hurt. However, heavy machinery was needed to remove the crane because it temporarily blocked a section of the waterway.
The Lavallette Police Department and local environment agency were called to the scene, but only a small amount of fuel leaked from the crane, and the fallen machine was soon out of the way.
The damage to the crane was minimal, and marine officials expect it to be fully operational again within a week. Authorities were satisfied that this was an accident that could have happened anywhere.
