14.04.2023

Tower crane fatality

A tower crane overturned in Münchendorf on the south side of Vienna, Austria on Monday killing a waiting truck driver.

The crane, rigged with a short tower and long jib, was installed on a counterweighted cruciform chassis and running on rails, it was being operated at the time by remote control, when for some reason it tipped, with the jib and counterjib coming down onto the cab of the truck, crushing it beyond recognition and fatally injuring the man in the driving seat.
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In order to free the driver, two mobile cranes had to be called in. Fortunately, the company HeavyLog Transport & Logistik and its sister company , tower crane specialist, XL-Kran Logistik are based in Münchendorf and were able to respond quickly, but sadly the driver, 59, succumbed to his injuries at the scene. A person in the immediate vicinity of the incident was slightly injured.
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Two local cranes help with the mission

(photos courtesy of BFK Mödling press office)

The local fire service issued the following report:

“Report: On the morning of April 11, 2023, a serious accident occurred in the Münchendorf operating area. For reasons that have not yet been clarified, a tower crane fell onto a truck on the premises of a local company, with the driver of the heavy vehicle being trapped and seriously injured by the impact of the crane. The fire brigades in Münchendorf and Achau were alerted by sirens to rescue people. Minutes later, the first emergency services responded and arrived at the scene of the accident shortly thereafter.

After the situation assessment, the site was immediately secured, and fire protection set up. Unfortunately, any help came too late for the driver of the truck who was involved in the accident, and he succumbed to his serious injuries at the scene of the accident. So, it was the task of the fire brigade, in cooperation with the rescue services and the police, to help rescue the person involved in the accident. The trapped driver was freed using two cranes from a specialist company. In addition, liquids that escaped at the scene of the accident were collected and bound with binding agents.
The Münchendorf and Achau fire brigades were on duty for a total of two and a half hours with six emergency vehicles and 20 members.
We would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere condolences to all relatives and friends of the deceased.”


We will of course update this if and when we learn more regaring the cause.

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