At least 22 injured after cranes collide in Austin

AUSTIN, Texas — At least 22 people were injured after two cranes collided in Austin on Wednesday morning, according to Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services.

The cranes collided and got tangled several stories above a building under construction. The cause of the accident was still under investigation.

The EMS agency said 22 workers were hurt, including 16 victims who were transported to hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.

Most of the injuries occurred when workers scrambled away from the accident scene, EMS spokesman Darren Noak said.

One of the crane operators was still inside the crane cabin more than an hour after the accident, though it did not appear to be damaged. Authorities said the operator was safe and that they were working to get him down.

“He’s fine,” Fire Department Capt. Mark Bridge said. “There’s no danger to him.”

He said the cranes’ bases were stable and that investigators don’t believe they’re in danger of falling over.

The incident was reported at 10:38 a.m. CT (9:38 a.m. MT), the ATCEMS tweeted.

The collision came in the Mueller community of northeast Austin. There is a park, children’s hospital, apartment complex and shopping center in the area.