At least 16 injured after two cranes collide in Texas, officials say
At least 16 people have been injured on a Texas construction site after two cranes collided, officials said.
The collision in Austin, Texas, occurred on Wednesday morning, according to Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services (ATCEMS).
There are currently 22 people being considered as victims from the collision: 16 people who were transported to hospitals for non-life threatening injuries, three people who refused treatment, and three being referred to as “no patients” because they were on the scene but not injured.
Six ambulances and two EMS units are currently responding to the scene and attempting to reach one of the crane operators, the ATCEMS said.
One operator remains in the machine with his foot on the brake to prevent the cranes from collapsing. The Austin Fire Department said it was unlikely that these cranes would collapse.
Initially, the incident was reported as a “collapse” of the cranes. But it was later determined that the two cranes collided with each other.
All injuries occurred as people attempted to remove themselves from the area following the collision.
“We are just holding this scene and preventing anyone from going back in,” Mark Bridges with the Austin Fire Department said, KXAN reported.
The construction site is the location of a new eight-story garage for a nearby office building, according to KXAN. Two of the levels will include retail spaces.
Residents nearby are encouraged to avoid the area.
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