February 2023 Accidents Report

Many job-site accidents are the result of a lack of training and equipment failure. Don’t let that happen to you and your employees.  Sign up for training or schedule your next inspection. But first, read on for the February 2023 accidents.

2 injured, 1 dead in DUI forklift crash in north Seattle

We are reprinting this MyNorthwest article originally written by Lisa Brooks and published on February 8, 2023.

A crash that closed Aurora Avenue N during the afternoon commute Tuesday has taken the life of a woman. (KIRO 7)

A crash involving a forklift that closed Aurora Avenue N during the afternoon commute Tuesday has taken the life of a woman.

Seattle Police say a forklift driver they suspect was intoxicated was driving across the highway at N 96th Street when he collided with an SUV headed southbound.

The SUV then smashed into a landscaping truck headed northbound.

The man and woman in the SUV were taken to Harborview for treatment – the 25-year-old woman, who was a passenger, died of her injuries while at the hospital.

The 27-year-old male SUV driver was in serious condition.

The 30-year-old man driving the landscaping truck was listed in stable condition.

The forklift driver didn’t have to go to the hospital and was taken by police to be evaluated by an expert in drug recognition. Officers believe he was under the influence.

Police were expected to take the man to the King County Jail to be booked for investigation of vehicular homicide.

Seattle Police Detective Valerie Carson told KIRO 7 TV it was possible the forklift was stolen. That information was also not confirmed.

Taking a dip in the river

This article is reprinted from Vertikal.net, published on February 16, 2023.

A two axle mobile crane overturned into the river Rhine last Thursday in Cologne, Germany.

The crane – a Sennebogen industrial mobile – belonging to contractor Hochtief, was working on renovation work along the riverside promenade when it lost stability. The emergency services blamed the incident on operator error. It was clearly related to overloading or an outrigger related issue. It appears to have been short rigged on the river side of the crane.

Thankfully no one was hurt in the incident and the fire service managed to prevent any serious water contamination.

Cranes from local rental company Colonia arrived on site to assist with the recovery
click here to see a local news report with video
Photos courtesy of Feuerwehr Köln

GPD investigating death of two Graham men as accident

This article is reprinted from The Graham Leader, originally published on February 24, 2023.

(THOMAS WALLNER | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Graham Police Department is investigating an electrical accident resulting in the death of two tree trimmers late Friday morning.

Graham Police Department is investigating an electrical accident resulting in the death of two tree trimmers late Friday morning.

GPD, Graham Fire Rescue and Graham EMS were dispatched to the 800 block of Kentucky Street in Graham in reference to an accident involving tree trimmers, according to a release from GPD Chief Brent Bullock. First responders arrived on scene and observed a bucket truck with the basket on fire.

“The boom was extended several feet into the air and was close to a tree that appeared to be freshly trimmed,” Bullock wrote. “Also present in the area to where the trimmed tree was located were overhead power lines.”

Mark Wyatt Blackwell, 65, and Roy Dean Voss, 65, were pronounced dead at the scene by Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 Jason Hearne.

Oncor Electric was contacted to cut power to the electrical lines overhead and emergency services located Blackwell and Voss in the bucket of the lift.

Bullock said GPD is investigating the death as an accident.

If you see an accident report you’d like us to feature in the blog, like the ones shown here in the February 2023 Accidents Reports, let us know. Contact heather@cranes101.com with the information.

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