Operator of Electrified Crane Rescued
Published 10 Mar. 2009
The arm of a crane in Chester, Connecticut, hit live power lines, electrifying the crane.
Rescue personnel instructed the crane operator to remain seated in the same position; it wasn’t clear if only the arm or indeed the entire cabin was under electricity.
For their own safety rescue crews had to keep a two telephone pole distance themselves until the power company, CL&P, was able to cut the power to the whole area.
Once power was removed from the area the crane operator still had to remain in place as rescue crews had to make the crane was de-energized from its 23,000 volt charging.
Two hours after hitting the power lines the crane operator was freed.
He’s in perfect condition. Nobody has been harmed.