Three people died and nine others were injured on Wednesday evening when the steel frame of a new hangar being built at the airport in Boise, Idaho, collapsed onto a number of aerial work platforms, telehandlers and at least one crane.
We understand that the deceased, Mariano Coc Och, 24, Mario Sontay Tzi, 32, Craig Durrant, 59, were working from the booms and scissor lift caught by the falling steelwork. They all died from traumatic blunt force injuries and are all reported to be employees of the main contractor on the site - Big D Builders - which is building a 3,600 square metre hangar for Jackson Jet Center. Of the nine injured we understand that five of them remain in a critical condition.
A truck crane from the Inland Crane rental fleet was finishing up for the day and placing an end truss into position, when the structure collapsed. Weather conditions were fair at the time with wind gusts of up to 20 miles an hour were recorded early that afternoon.
Inland Crane vice president Jeremy Haener said: “No Inland Crane employees were injured but the company is mourning the loss of partners and friends. Based on the accounts from our crane operators, construction workers and the steel erecting contractor, we believe that no action by Inland Crane operators or the crane itself were cause for the structural failure. When the building collapsed due to an unknown structural failure, the crane boom snapped on impact.”
Boise fire chief Mark Niemeyer added: “It was tragic day for the community, our heartfelt condolences go out to those affected. Also, I cannot speak highly enough of the first responders and their quick and professional response rescuing victims and caring for patients in what was a chaotic and very dangerous environment.”
OSHA is investigating the cause of the incident.
The following news report shows more of the scene and provides additional details.
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