27.06.2017

Crane overturn in Geneva

A large articulated crane overturned yesterday in Geneva, Switzerland while unloading a 20ft container.
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The scene shortly after it happened

The crane a large PM 100 mounted on a five axle truck chassis, owned and operated by crane and transport company Carry-Box, had lifted, and was in the process of placing the container - which contained kitchen equipment for a catering operation at a lakeside concert at Port Noir, and is said to have weighed six tonnes – when it tipped. The operator was standing clear and using the crane’s radio remote controls at the time.
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The crane was lifting a container full of kitchen equipment reportedly weighing six tonnes

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The crane operator said that the outriggers had been extended

The photographs we have seen suggest that the outriggers had not been extended on the load side of the truck, but the operator - who apparently has 30 years of experience - said that the beams retracted as he was placing the load.
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The recovery begins, not exactly textbook but....

Thankfully no one was injured in the incident and two cranes quickly arrived on site - one from the fire department which proved too small, and one rented in - it lifted the loader crane back onto its wheels within three hours and we understand that the vehicle was able to leave the site yesterday evening.
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Back on its wheels- three hours later

Vertikal Comment

It is hard to envisage both of the outrigger beams suddenly retracting at the same time, unless the crane had already tipped well forward?? At least no one was injured this time round. The operator was using his remote controls and at least kept well clear of the boom and the load.
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