Crane falls into river on way to Keystone Trail work site, operator was pinned on his side

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10265307


The operator of a crane that fell into the creek beside the Keystone Trail near Center Street is extricated from the cab of the crane.

A crane operator was pinned on his side in frigid Little Papio Creek water for about 45 minutes today before firefighters were able to free him from the wreckage.

The operator, whose name was not available this morning, escaped serious injuries.

The crane slid into the creek beside the Keystone Trail about 150 yards south of Center Street around 8 a.m. It had been on its way to begin removing an abandoned railroad bridge near 64th and Spring Streets.

The crane, owned by the McC contracting company, lost traction on the frozen ground, said Martin Cleveland of the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District.

"Once those things start sliding, there's no stopping them," he said. "It's like ice on ice."

When the crane toppled into the creek, the cab landed on a rock shelf in about a foot of water, Omaha Fire Department Battalion Chief Robert Prucha said.

FULL story at link.