Crane collapses near I-5 at Napavine

By KOMO Staff

Summary

Fire officials said the crane tipped over around 4:35 p.m. at a private construction site east of I-5 near the off ramp being built at milepost 74. The operator was trapped in the cab for more than an hour. Rescue crews brought in a second crane and a tow truck to extricate the man.

Story Published: May 19, 2009 at 5:01 PM PST

Story Updated: May 19, 2009 at 5:36 PM PST

Crane collapses near I-5 at Napavine
NAPAVINE, Wash. -- One person was injured when a crane collapsed Tuesday afternoon near Interstate 5 in this Lewis County town.

Fire officials said the crane, which state troopers described as a yarding tower, tipped over around 4:35 p.m. at a private construction site east of I-5 near the off ramp being built at milepost 74. The crane fell across a ditch filled with water.

The operator was trapped in the cab for more than an hour. Rescue crews brought in a second crane and a tow truck to extricate the man.

The man was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center with non-life threatening conditions. He is said to be stable and conscious.

The cause of the crash has not been determined.

Troopers said the incident is not affecting traffic on the interstate.