Man hurt as crane topples

Aug 23 2007 By Tony Collins, Birmingham Mail

A MAN was seriously injured when the 30 foot crane he was operating toppled over.

The large telescopic crane was mounted on a forklift truck outside a development on the corner of Bedford Road and Rectory Road, in Sutton Coldfield.

The site is directly opposite Good Hope Hospital but the Warwickshire and Northants Air Ambulance, based at Coventry Airport, was still alerted.

It landed at nearby Rectory Park and the onboard medical team made their way on foot.

A West Midlands Ambulance spokesman said: "The air ambulance could have been alerted as it always has a doctor on board.

"The decision is based on information from the member of the public who alerts us."

The crane operator, believed to be in his 40s, was taken to Good Hope Hospital at 2.45pm suffering head and neck injuries.

The crane, which caused the forklift truck to topple onto its side, completely blocked Rectory Road, but no one else was injured.

The ambulance spokesman said: "It narrowly missed a passing car being driven by an off-duty firefighter, but he got out and started attending to the patient."

Two fire crews attended.

Crew commander Mark Webb of Sutton Coldfield fire station said: "The forklift truck was fitted with outriggers to stabilise it but it toppled over while the crane was fully extended."