07.08.2017

Sydney tower crane collapse

A tower crane overturned in south Sydney, Australia yesterday crashing into the high rise building opposite.
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The crane broke away from the building and landed on one opposite

The crane - owned by Morrow tower cranes - was being erected on a cantilever base mounted to the side of the building when the cantilever structure pulled away from the wall. The counter jib had already been fitted but not the main jib, as far as we can see the tower had also not yet been tied into to the building near the top- although we cannot be certain of that. The tower – counter jib and cab area - came to rest on the tower building opposite causing some damage to the penthouse and roof. The operator or an erector on the crane managed to jump onto the roof of the building and was rescued with a man basket on another crane working on the same project.
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At leat one man on the crane was rescued from with a man basket attached to another tower crane on the project

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A close look at how the crane landed

Three people were treated for minor injuries, the most serious of which was a possible leg fracture or strain. Around 300 people were evacuated from the buildings affected and the crane was stabilised and fitted with movement detection devices. The site is at Wolli Creek near Sydney airport and close enough to the airport rail line to cause it to be closed until the crane was fully stabilised. Recovery is expected to begin tomorrow.
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The crane was mounted on a cantilever platform on the side of the building

Investigators from SafeWork NSW are looking into the cause of the incident. The site is managed by construction company Probuild.