23.06.2015

Fatal fall for crane operator

A crane operator fell almost 20 metres from the cab of a large outdoor gantry crane at the International Paper plant in Augusta, Georgia, yesterday.

The man Michael Hill, 44, is reported to have fell out of the back of the cab and was pronounced dead at the scene. The coroner’s initial statement said that Hill was not wearing a harness when he arrived.

The mill produces paper-board for a wide range of packaging.

UPDATE
Latest reports suggest that the crane cab dropped from its tracks and fell around three or four metres before coming to a sudden stop dangling from hoses and/or cables, possibly causing Hill to be thrown from the cab.
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Mike Hill fell from the cab of this gantry crane