Car crushed, driver trapped after crane collapse in Melbourne’s west

A crane operator was trapped for almost an hour after a crane collapsed on a worksite in Melbourne’s west, crushing a car beneath.

The crane’s arm collapsed and was hanging from the machine on Swann Drive in Derrimut about 10.30am on Wednesday.

The crane operator was believed to be trapped 30 metres in the air after the collapse.

A Fire Rescue Victoria spokesman said crews were still working to free the operator about an hour after the collapse. The crane operator was freed from the crane about 11.20am.

Callers to triple zero reported the crane’s arm came down on a car, possibly trapping other people, the spokesman said. However, nobody was inside that vehicle.

The crane also brought powerlines down over cars.

“The crane operator exited the crane once it was safe to do so and was assessed by Ambulance Victoria for mild shock,” the Fire Rescue Victoria spokesman said.

“The incident was deemed under control at 11.18am.

“Firefighters remained on scene for some time to ensure the scene was safe.”

An Ambulance Victoria spokeswoman confirmed advanced life support paramedics assessed one person at the scene of the crane collapse, but no emergency treatment or transport was provided.

A WorkSafe spokeswoman said the regulator had been notified, and its investigators would look into the crane collapse.

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