FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – A crane operator was injured after hitting a power line in downtown Fort Lauderdale on Wednesday morning, causing explosions that damaged a number of cars.
The dropped crane operator was taken to Broward Health Medical Center as a trauma alert. He is in serious but stable condition.
He was fortunate to have a Fort Lauderdale police officer patrolling the area at the time and helping him quickly, authorities say.
According to Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue, three crane operators were working to remove an object from the rooftop at 300 Southwest 2nd Street when one of them hit an electrical line from Florida Power & Light.
Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue battalion chief Stephen Gollan said it caused two explosions and damaged a number of vehicles. Debris and asphalt could be seen on the road.
“All the asphalt and stuff that was under the crane exploded and smashed my rental car across the street,” said one witness.
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A second crane operator refused to be taken to the hospital and the third was not injured.
Florida Power & Light was still on site to investigate the incident at noon.
Power to nearby restaurants and shops was cut until the crane could be removed and the area tidied up.
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