October 31, 2024

By Kailey Tracy

Crews lifted the crane that fell into Pinellas County condo on Wednesday after a long day-and-a-half.

Around 9:30 am on Tuesday morning, the crane fell into one of buildings in the Crystal Bay Condo Complex and displaced residents. Nobody was injured.

The crew said that the first crane they used to try to lift it out was too small.

They brought in another crane on Wednesday and spent close to five hour lifting the collapsed one.

Barry Smith, structural engineer for the condominium association, explained that they did not want to have the vehicle fall back onto the ground. It could then become unstable and either fall back on the same building or back where it started. It was a complex process to lift the crane.

Smith stated that they were using two cranes to catch the crane as it was tipped into position. Residents and visitors alike were attracted to the process.

Thomas Aleksandrowicz’s friends, who live in the apartment building, told Thomas Aleksandrowicz: “I drove from Brooksville to the site this morning after my friend Terry emailed me pictures. I am retired.” I used to perform similar work. This is a very exciting event.

Linda Arant said that not everyone would have a story to share.

Adam Bild, the attorney representing the Crystal Bay Condo Association said that the crane was loading material onto the roof to replace the existing roof.

The crane tipped because it exceeded its lifting capacity. He is not certain if this was caused by the weight the crane was carrying or a problem with the crane’s operation. Bild said that the wind in the morning on Tuesday could have contributed to the collapse.

The crane was lifted inch-by-inch by the crews, until by Wednesday afternoon at 2 pm, it had been removed from the roof. The crew and audience cheered as the crane was lifted.

No further damage was done.

Arant stated that it was good to hear that nobody was hurt when the incident occurred on Tuesday, particularly the workers who were working with the crane. They took care of the situation and all are safe.

Smith went through the building to inspect the damage after the crane had been removed. The building was in good structural condition and he was amazed at how little damage there was. Residents returned to their homes after the building management cleared them.

It’s impressive. The building’s construction is impressive. Smith stated, “I was not present when the crane fell and hit the building.” The building is structurally sound and has held up well.

Smith, the structural engineering representative of the condominium association, is expected to share his assessment of the building with the county inspectors. They will then determine if they should conduct a subsequent inspection.

FOX 13 has reached out to Beyel Brothers Crane and Rigging and is waiting for a response.

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