22.05.2015

Lucky escape in New England

A man working from an aerial lift had a lucky escape yesterday after a large truck mounted the sidewalk/pavement and struck the platform in Worcester,
Massachusetts.

The man was repairing a window of a pizza restaurant, from the platform of a Niftylift SD170 which was set well clear of the kerb and the road. The articulated delivery truck, operated by Lily Transportation, made a right turn into the street and cut the corner, with his trailer mounting the kerb and catching one of the platform’s outriggers. The driver then continued on his way for a couple of metres or so. Finally stopping as members of the public shouted at him and the outriggers squealed as they scraped along road.
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The scene after the truck stopped

The man in the platform managed to jump from the platform on to the roof of the building, although the machine remained upright and stable. Thankfully he has not hurt or injured.

Vertikal Comment

Fortunately this truck was going very slowly which is probably the most significant factor relating to the absence of any injuries. It is hard to know if in this instance, the operator would have been better off remaining harnessed into the platform, or free to jump to the roof? If he had fallen as he jumped, or the truck had picked up speed either scenario would have appeared different.