Crane collapse kills 4 at Houston refinery, 7 injured

Source: Agencies  |   2008-7-19  |     ONLINE EDITION

ONE of the largest mobile cranes in the United States collapsed at a Houston oil refinery yesterday, killing four workers and injuring seven others in the latest of several fatal accidents that have raised concerns about the safety of construction cranes.

The 30-story-tall crane, capable of lifting 1 million pounds (450,000 kilograms), fell over at a LyondellBasell refinery in southeast Houston about 2 pm (1900 GMT), said Jim Roecker, the company's vice president for refining.

The massive, deep red crane lay on top of a smaller, bright yellow crane on the grounds of the refinery. Ambulances and fire trucks were lined up outside.

The casualties were in the area of the crane, but officials still are not certain whether they were on the crane or under it, Roecker said.

Three of the injured were treated and released at the scene, said Houston Fire Department Assistant Chief Omero Longoria. Two severely injured workers were taken by helicopter to Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center hospital and the other two injured workers was taken to a hospital by ambulance.

The crane belonged to Deep South Crane & Rigging. Roecker described it as one of the largest mobile cranes in the US, at 300 feet (91 meters) tall with a 400-foot (122-meter) boom. Construction cranes run taller, but they are not mobile.

The crane had not been scheduled to do any work until next week, but Roecker said its engine was idling after it hit the ground.

"This is a traumatic experience for all of us. We have to focus on the safety and health of our employees," Roecker said.

Deep South spokeswoman Margaret Landry issued a statement from the company's headquarters in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, saying it was investigating "to determine the root cause, correct it and ensure that this type of tragedy does not occur again."