13.02.2007

8,000 volts electrocutes crane man

A 32-year-old crane operator was electrocuted in Miami, Florida, yesterday when his crane hit a power line.

The man was lifting roofing supplies into place on a two storey residential building when heavy winds caused the cranes boom and jib to sway into an overhead power line.

The 8,000-volt jolt as apparently so severe that it threw him to the ground.

''Instead of calling the emergency services other workers tried to revive him on their own,'' said Ignatius Carroll, a spokesman for the Miami fire department.

Carroll said it was a full 15 minutes before the workers called authorities. By the time they responded, the man was dead.

The crane was an old- 1960's era- 20/22 tonne telescopic rigged with an a frame jib.

The damage to the power line caused a temporary power failure to the surrounding seven-to-10-block area.