Crane topples over in Wollongong

Published: 24th October 2008

This morning firefighters from Wollongong, Shellharbour Hazmat and the Duty Commander responded to a crane that had toppled over at the Port Kembla Grain Terminal. Firefighters arrived on scene within six minutes and found a 150 tonne crane standing on its end, with the crane operator still trapped by his legs inside the cabin eight metres above the ground and in a very unstable position. The hydraulic ladder fire engine from Wollongong provided an aerial view of the incident and good access to the crane and the driver. Firefighters and Police worked to stabilise the crane and paramedics provided patient care. After three and half hours the crane operator was released safely and taken to hospital. During the incident, hazmat firefighters dealt with diesel leaking from the crane.