11.05.2008

Crane tips on clinic

The boom of a mobile crane crashed onto the roof of the maternity section of a medical centre in Volos, Greece after the ground gave way under its outriggers.

About 40 expectant mothers were in the clinic at the time but no injuries were reported, although the clinic's director was apparently treated for shock.

Hospital director Maria Karra said the company responsible for the crane had not set it up in the way the contractor in charge of the hospital’s renovation had directed. The crane owners, who have not been named claimed the incident was provoked by subsidence of the ground under the crane.

Vertikal Comment

This is yet another example of improper set up of a cranes outriggers, either due to setting it up over a void, or simply not using sufficiently sized outrigger mats or cribbing.