A CRANE operator in Khon Kaen dropped a prefabricated house he was shifting from one compound to another on a neighbouring house but fortunately a man who was within when his house got smashed miraculously survived, Amarin TV said today (Jan. 24).
In malfunctioning and unable to carry the one-ton weight of the prefab house and dropping it on the other one at 11 a.m. yesterday, the crane also toppled from the truck. The contractor and supervisor then rushed to the demolished house and managed to open a window and rescue the man trapped inside.
An inspection showed that the house in Soi Klang Muang 9, off Klang Muang road, Khon Kaen municipality, was severely damaged and now uninhabitable, with half of it destroyed and valuables lost.
Mr. Nakarin Chinbut, 29, said when the accident occurred he had just left his room to get ready for his afternoon shift at work. Suddenly he heard a loud explosion-like sound, with debris and dust spreading all around. He quickly called out to his dog to find out if he was alright but did not receive an answer.
He tried to get out but was unable to do so only emerging after the contractor and supervisor pried open a window.
He added that he normally walks around the part of the house where the prefab house fell and was about to go there to check whether his mobile phone had charged and believes an amulet of Luang Pho Chana Chanthasaro he always wears saved his life.
Ms. Nipa Hinla, a relative of the victim, said she was doing laundry when she heard the loud sound and rushed out only to see that their house had collapsed. She believes the accident occurred because the crane operator erred.
She suspects that the crane should have been lowered as it lifted the heavy prefab house over the power lines, to reduce the weight. Moreover, based on the video footage, it appears the crane operator made a mistake, causing so much damage.
Her biggest concern is compensation for damage and emotional distress. After the incident, the crane company only said that their insurance company would inspect and assess the damage but if this is low she would have to find additional money for repairs while asking the authorities for justice.
CAPTION:
This and Front Page – The crane accident that destroyed the neighbouring house, the prefab house and toppled the machine. Photos – Amarin TV
Also read:
People’s tipped as largest elected party with 150-180 MP seats: NIDA academic
Four ex-MPs vie against one another in Lopburi constituency
Khmers are building ‘many bunkers along Sa Kaeo border’
Thais travelling to West Bengal, Bodh Gaya,warned to beware of Nipah virus outbreak
Domestic sales of pickup trucks seen plunging to lowest level in over two decades
