10.06.2008

Jib drops in Miami

A truck mounted lattice boomed crane, probably an older Lorain model with tower boom, dropped its luffing jib yesterday, possibly due to a failure of one or more of the crane’s pendant or jib hoist cables.

The crane which is owned by Ray Anthony International of Pompano Beach Florida, was being erected next to the Marriot hotel in downtown Miami when the accident happened yesterday.
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The crane a Lorain from the early 80's? after the accident

A man said to he half way up the 70 metre tower and jib, was taken to hospital with severe injuries to his right arm, but was not thought to be in critical condition.

The man's son, who was also working on the crane, was also taken to the hospital as a precaution. Both men were wearing harnesses.

The crane, which was going to be used to do work on a roof, arrived on Saturday in preparation for rigging on Sunday and Monday. In spite of the sudden drop of the jib, which slammed into the vertikal tower of the crane, the machine remained solidly stable and little or no material damage was done.

Officials of the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration are investigating, meanwhile work on the crane has been suspended.