We've seen a lot of big cranes at Reading over recent years, building the new station. You may well have wondered with some of them "do these mobile crane operators ever get their sums wrong when working out the counterbalances and maximum load versus reach?". Well, the answer is apparently "yes".
From
getreading Drama in Reading as crane collapses in West StreetMore than 50 people are expected to be sleeping elsewhere on Saturday evening following the crane collapse in Reading town centre.
West Street remains closed into Sunday (30 July) after the crane became destabilised and toppled.
The crane came to rest on the former Primark shop and a second crane has been brought in to steady it .
A total of 60 homes have been evacuated nearby and Reading Borough Council says it has found temporary accommodation for 49 people so far.
Thames Valley Police say other people have chosen to stay with friends or relatives.
Emergency services, around 50 members of staff from police and the Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service remain at the scene.
Work is expected to continue overnight on the 60-metre tall crane.
No one was hurt in the collapse according to police.
A wider shot of the crane scene in West Street (Image: Andrew Egbenoma)
West Street and Cheapside remain closed, as well as Oxford Road between West Street and Cheapside.
The junction of Friar Street, West Street, St Mary’s Butts and Oxford Road also remains closed.
Reading Buses is diverting services around the area.
There are more pictures on
getreading, but the overhead picture is the most revealing -it's likely to lead to to chorus of "it was
how long?"
(Image: Twitter/NPAS Benson)
One more credit - stage management by NMT Crane Hire.
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