A high rise crane at “The Cove” condominium complex has crashed to the ground killing 4 workers. The crane was in the process of being raised when the accident occurred.

Pattaya, the 17th of November 2009 [PDN]: At approximately 3:30pm on the 17th of November police Lieutenant General Sumet Harnwisai received a report stating that a construction crane had collapsed in Soi Naklua, North Pattaya. Police along with several construction officials attended the scene.

Police arrived at the construction site to find that the crane had completely crashed to the ground. It is believed that the crane fell to the ground when the counter weights (5 cement blocks weighing over 2 tonnes) had fallen out causing the structure to become severally unstable. Seven construction workers were on the crane at the time attempting to raise it, 4 fell to the ground and died instantly whilst the 3 others were severely injured and taken to the Banglamung Hospital. The construction site has been closed down until a full investigation has taken place.

The Deputy Mayor Mr Wirawat Khakhai went to the scene and discovered that the company in charge of the development was the Pet Property Development Co. The construction had been ongoing since August 2008 and has a completion date of approximately 18 months. The cost of construction is estimated to be over 61 million baht located on a 10 rai block of land.

The site foreman divulged that the incident was caused by a mistake made by the S.P. Crane Operators, the company responsible for crane operations. They were removing parts of the crane at the time the incident occurred. Police arrested the foreman in order to interrogate him further in an attempt to gain further information on how this tragic accident occurred.

Source:

http://pattayadailynews.com

Terrible tragedy

Pictures from http://www.pattayaone.net/news

theres a crane like that near where I am, Im surprised it hasnt fallen over yet, its on a very small base and its quite high now, Im sure they extend them higher then they are designed for