In short:
A crane toppled onto powerlines and a car in Derrimut, trapping its operator 30 metres above ground. Emergency crews rescued him safely as WorkSafe began investigating.
Crane toppled onto vehicles and powerlines
A massive crane toppled onto powerlines and a car in Melbourne’s west, with emergency services rescuing a trapped crane operator in a dramatic operation.
Emergency services rushed to Swann Drive in Derrimut just after 10.30am on Wednesday, 27 August, following numerous triple-0 calls reporting the collapse.
Firefighters arrived within minutes and found the crane tangled in live powerlines and resting over vehicles. Specialist Fire Rescue Victoria crews, including the High Angle Rescue Team, worked to safely free the operator, who had been trapped inside the cabin about 30 metres in the air.
The crane driver was freed nearly an hour later and was assessed by Ambulance Victoria for mild shock. No emergency treatment or hospital transport was required.
Victoria Police confirmed Fire Rescue Victoria and WorkSafe had led the management of the incident. A WorkSafe spokeswoman said investigators had been notified and would examine the crane collapse.
No one was inside the car that was crushed beneath the machinery. Weather reports at the time indicated average winds of around 40km/h in Derrimut, though the exact cause remained under investigation.
Traffic around Swann Drive was disrupted for several hours while crews secured the site.
