Oops! Crane falls into Lake Whatcom
BELLINGHAM, Wash. -- A crane rolled off a barge and into Lake Whatcom at the Bloedel Donovan boat launch late Friday afternoon, closing the launch until Saturday morning.
The privately-owned crane, used for shoreline construction projects, fell into the lake at approximately 3:30 p.m., overturning an accompanying boat and spilling fuel into the lake in the process, said Andy Day, Assistant Chief with the Bellingham Fire Department.
No one was injured in the accident and the crane operators quickly deployed absorbent boom and pads to contain and clean up the fuel spill.
A larger crane has been ordered to pull the submerged crane from the lake, with that job expected to be completed by Friday evening.
Accommodations are being made to help boaters get their boats back on their trailers, but incoming launching traffic is restricted. Other park facilities, including the swimming area, remain open.
The privately-owned crane, used for shoreline construction projects, fell into the lake at approximately 3:30 p.m., overturning an accompanying boat and spilling fuel into the lake in the process, said Andy Day, Assistant Chief with the Bellingham Fire Department.
No one was injured in the accident and the crane operators quickly deployed absorbent boom and pads to contain and clean up the fuel spill.
A larger crane has been ordered to pull the submerged crane from the lake, with that job expected to be completed by Friday evening.
Accommodations are being made to help boaters get their boats back on their trailers, but incoming launching traffic is restricted. Other park facilities, including the swimming area, remain open.