An HSE spokesman told Cranes Today that the crane involved was a 100t mobile crane, owned by Bryn Thomas Crane Hire. The accident took place on 29th March, at around 1.15pm, as the crane was being used in the building of an extension to a food distribution warehouse, for SHS International.
A report on builderandengineer.co.uk quotes an unnamed HSE source as saying that the crane was being used to lift pre-fabricated steel sections and that one of these may have become snagged on a tree, causing the jib to collapse. However, the HSE could not confirm this report when approached by Cranes Today. Banksman Richard Mark Thornton, who was reported to have been using a rope to guide the load, was caught under the collapsing crane. The crane’s operator suffered minor injuries.
The HSE and local police have launched an investigation, and an inquest has been opened. The accident follows a tower crane accident in the city in January, that killed one person and seriously injured the crane operator.
