Construction Halted As Crane Topples Over In Central El Paso
EL PASO, TX. – The Loop 375 expansion project came to a drastic halt Monday afternoon, after a crane accident sends a massive beam barreling towards the ground.
Ascary moment Monday for workers who were trying to lifta steelcrossgirteronto some concrete pillars. They say the falling beam sent them running for their lives. “I looked back and started seeing the crane crumble, and a loud crash and everybody started running and ducking for cover,” said Raymond Reyes, a construction onsite at the time of the accident.
Texas Department of Transportationofficials were not available for an on camera interview but did tell us the beam fell after it was unevenly lifted by two cranes. The weight of the beam shifted causing it to fall, and forcing one crane’s boom to wrap around a concrete post like loose wire. “I couldn’t believe it was happening, a big ol’ thing like that falling down. We werejust scared for our safety,” Reyes added.Crews were able to clearthe debrisfrom the accident scene and move itacross the street.
Looking at the weight designation thegirterhas lists itas 33.6 tons and that was only the front end, officials tellABC-7 in total the beam topped the 40 ton mark. Miraculously no one was hurt, and traffic was not affected, though itdid send workers a clear message of just how dangerous these jobs can be.
“You always gotta’ look up and watch your surroundings because at the end of the day you want to go home to your family,” Reyessaid.Some crew memberssaid the investigation into this incident would continue, but they expect to now be set back several months.
