Crane collapses, kills four workers

• By MONICA RHOR
• Associated Press writer
• Published: Jul 19, 2008 - Page: 1A - UPDATED: 10:50 a.m.

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HOUSTON — One of the nation’s largest mobile cranes collapsed at a Houston oil refinery Friday, 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, which belonged to Deep South Crane & Rigging of Baton Rouge, which is capable of lifting 1 million pounds, fell over at a LyondellBasell refinery in southeast Houston about 2 p.m., 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 aren’t certain whether they were on the crane or under it, Roecker said.

The four deceased workers were Texas-based employees of Deep South Crane & Rigging, said Margaret Landry, a spokeswoman for the company. Their names were not released late Friday, pending notification of family.

None of the injured Deep South employees was from Louisiana, Landry added.

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 and the other two injured workers was taken to a hospital by ambulance.

Roecker described it as one of the nation’s largest mobile cranes, at 300 feet tall with a 400-foot 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.

Landry issued a statement from the company’s headquarters in Baton Rouge saying it was investigating “to determine the root cause, correct it and ensure that this type of tragedy does not occur again.”

Near the scene of the collapse, Mattie Graham stood with her husband, Deep South worker Horace Graham.

“I’m thinking about their families. He could have been there today,” she said, gesturing to her husband.