Operator Dead After Excavation Crane Slides Into Newark Bay
NEWARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- An excavation crane operator is dead, after an his huge crane fell into Newark Bay on Thursday.
As WCBS 880's Levon Putney reported, the man was doing excavation work Thursday morning for a company out of Bellevue when the excavator fell into the water near Delancey Street, according to Newark Fire Department spokesman John Brown.
"It was an excavating crane that was working on the bay and had flipped over and started sliding in the mud in the water," said Newark Fire Department spokesman John Brown.
Brown said that because of the mud and the sheer weight of the machine, it was difficult to get to the worker.
He said rescuers were able to reach the man several hours later, but he had died.
Excavation Crane Slides Into Newark Bay; State Police Say Operator Unaccounted For
Police said officers responded about 8:30 a.m. and could see the crane submerged in the water near Doremus Avenue and Firmench Way.
Several people tried to get to the trapped operator without success, according to the witness.
State police, the Coast Guard and Newark's Fire Marine unit were sent out to the bay to assist with the situation.
The body was recovered from the wreckage about 5 p.m.
Check Out These Other Stories From CBSNewYork.com:
(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
