**Breaking News Toledo, OH MCI**

[firenresq77]

Report: Crane Falls Onto Highway Bridge Traffic
Five People Rushed To Hospital

POSTED: 3:26 p.m. EST February 16, 2004
UPDATED: 3:34 p.m. EST February 16, 2004


Story by Click On Detroit

-- A crane reportedly fell onto a tractor-trailer and several cars at the Maumee River crossing on Interstate 280 in Toledo Monday afternoon, according to Local 4 reports.

A fire captain in Toledo says five people have been pulled from the site and taken to area hospitals. The extent of their injuries is unknown.

The crane fell onto the Craig Memorial Bridge. The northbound lanes of the interstate were blocked off to traffic.

The construction project is the largest highway project in Ohio history, costing $280 million, according to WNWO-Toledo.

Sky 4 crews were heading to the scene.

Stay tuned to Local 4 and ClickOnDetroit.com for further updates.

[pfd3501]

There has been a collapse in the construction site around the I-280 bridge. A huge crane has fallen on a semi truck and possibly other vehicles. This has happened on the east side of the river near the Front Street exit.

The fire department's "Confined Space" unit has been called in, as well as other rescue crews and Life Flight rescue crews. Three people are dead and several more injured. Injured have been taken to St. Vincent's Mercy Medical Center.

I-280 is closed. No traffic from I-75 south can exit onto 280 and traffic going north is being
diverted to 795 and then to I-75.

A witness driving on 280 said the crane just crumpled and he saw a cloud of dust rise over the accident scene.

News 11 crews are on the scene and have been asked to move back from the scene a bit. Officials are fearful the other crane at th sight may be unstable and could also fall.

[firenresq77]

Here are some links of local news agencies. The first one has some good pics on there, but I think their links for video are messed up.


13 ABC (www.13abc.com)

WTOL Channel 11 (www.wtol.com)

FOX Toledo (www.foxtoledo.com)

NBC 24 (www.nbc24.com)

[firenresq77]

Here is a FH.com link for a story from a group of the above news agencies. Make sure you check out the link for the pics


Ohio Construction Crane Collapse (http://cms.firehouse.com/content/article/article.jsp?sectionId=46&id=26233)

[WTFD10]

Turns out I knew all 3 of the Ironworkers killed and one of the injured from working with them on a different construction project. Great guys all. A real tragedy for our area.

[Weruj1]

Tonight I am hearing unsubstanchiated reports that another worker has passed away .........will try and post any more info I get if it credible.

[firenresq77]

I believe it is true, that a 4th has died........ Sad. That's all I can really say.........

[RFxplr326]

BUMP

Tommorow's the 3-year anniversary. Really sad day for the families of the fallen iron workers...

The bridge is set to open this spring. It is the single, largest, most expensive bridge consturction project in Ohio.

http://www.nbc24.com/Global/story.asp?S=6094588

I-280 Bridge Accident --- Three Years Later


(Toledo, OH) --- Friday, February 16, marks a tragic day in Toledo history. It was three years ago a crane collapsed on the I-280 bridge project. Four iron workers were killed, but the story of their sacrifices has not been forgotten.

Out of respect for the families of the four men killed three years ago, cememonies to mourn their losses Friday are private. There will be no formal gatherings.

The sacrifices and the tragedy of February 16, 2004 has not been forgotten. On that day a one thousand ton crane collapsed on several workers. Four were injured. Four others were killed --- Mike Phillips, Mike Moreau, Arden Clark, and Robert Lipinski Jr.

The maker of the crane was fined for not securing it properly. The accident haulted work for a year and a half, and caused changes in construction methods.

Now as iron workers finish building the Veterans Glass City Skyway, they remember those who died.

"The workers actually do not go a day without thinking about the workers that were lost. Not a one of us. From the guys that are turning wrenches, to engineers in the office --- Every one of us thinks about their sacrifices," said Andrea Moogd, Ohio Dept. of Transportation spokesperson.

A nearly 40-foot tall metal sculpture is being made as a tribute to the bridge workers who died three years ago. The memorial is paid for through donations. Here's how you can donate:

Veterans' Glass City Skyway Tribute Memorial
TMACOG
P.O. Box 9508
Toledo, OH 43697-9508

[Weruj1]

I remember this day all to well.............Rest In Peace Ironworkers.

[RFxplr326]

Scaffolding collapsed today killing 1 worker.
My condolences to all of the families of the workers who have died buidling the bridge.


http://www.wtol.com/Global/story.asp?S=6393088


Construction Worker Killed by Fall from New I-280 Bridge

NORTH TOLEDO -- Tragedy has again hit the Veterans' Glass City Skyway construction project. A bridge worker fell to his death Thursday morning in north Toledo.

Ron Rothenbuler, regional director for Carpenters' Union Local 1138, says 36-year-old Andrew W. Burris of Curtice, Ohio, was working on the north side of the bridge around 9:15am Thursday when it gave way. Burris fell about 80 feet, and landed in a grassy area near Summit Street next to the existing I-280 traffic lanes. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Toledo Police cordoned off the scene to investigate, but a detective on the scene tells News 11 the death appears accidental.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration also sent investigators to the scene. In a news release, the Ohio Department of Transportation says its representatives are working with the contractor, OSHA and Fru-Con to review the accident.

"On behalf of Director Beasley and the Ohio Department of Transportation, we extend our deepest sympathy to the family of Andrew Burris," said Dave Dysard, ODOT District 2 director. "We also extend our condolences to his relatives, friends and his fellow workers who have made us proud through their commitment and dedication to their work."

"Andrew was a part of the team that took the pylon to the top back in 2005. For four-and-a-half years, he was an integral part of the team that worked to complete this vital link for our community," said Dysard.

To lend support and sympathy, ODOT will send trained professionals to provide stress and emotional counseling and will work in cooperation with other agencies involved in the incident.

"I want to express our sympathy to the family. I want to let them know we will do everything we can to assist them," said Rothenbuler in a news conference.

"What began as a beautiful day in Toledo, Ohio, turned out to be a very sad day," said Mayor Carty Finkbeiner. "Let the rest of us grieve the loss of a man who loved what he was doing and loved his family."

At a construction cost of $220 million dollars, the Skyway is the largest single construction project in ODOT history. When completed, the cable-stayed, precast segmental concrete bridge will carry six lanes of Interstate 280 across the Maumee River in Toledo. It replaces the Craig Memorial Bridge, one of the few remaining drawbridges in the U.S. interstate system.

In February of 2004, four ironworkers were killed and four more were hurt when a 1,000-ton construction truss came crashing down. The truss was used to lift concrete sections of the roadway into place. Nearly all the crane's wreckage fell between the highway lanes, narrowly missing passing traffic and landing on two construction trucks.

Killed were Mike Phillips, 42; Robert Lipinski, Jr., 44; and Mike Moreau, 30. Arden Clark II, 47, died of his injuries in the days shortly after the incident. Four more people were hurt.

After an investigation, OSHA determined the company failed to properly secure the truss before the collapse. Bridge contractor Fru-Con agreed to pay $293,000 in fines and increase safety oversight. The company also agreed that it will now have at least one independent consultant at all of its bridge projects in the U.S.

OSHA also fined St. Louis-based Fru-Con $280,000 -- the maximum allowed -- because the agency said the company violated four workplace safety standards. OSHA said at the time that the company knew of the problems and did nothing to correct it.

Fru-Con paid $11.25 million dollars to settle lawsuits filed in Lucas County by the families of Phillips, Lipinski, and Clark. The company reached a separate settlement with Moreau's family, who sued in a Monroe County court.

The bridge was scheduled to open later this year. Count on News 11 to follow the bridge as construction continues.

On the Web:
Veterans' Glass City Skyway: www.lookuptoledo.org
ODOT: www.dot.state.oh.us
Fru-Con: www.fru-con.com