Labourer crushed to death by 45MT crane

By Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana

In what seems to be a tragic workplace accident, a shocking video footage has been circulating yesterday, where a labourer attached to Grayline 1 Container Terminal in Orugodawatta being crushed to death by a large 45MT crane in operation in the yard on Monday afternoon.   

A video circulating on social media showed the incident captured in the container yard’s CCTV cameras, on how the man was accidentally run over by the giant rear wheels of a PPM Top Lift 45MT container forklift crane, where the victim was killed on the spot.   

Preliminary inquiries revealed that the victim identified as Jayalal in his late 50s had been serving as a labourer in the compound.   

The crane operator concerned had been taken into Grandpass Police custody for inquiries.   

The crane, which is operated from its rear wheels, runs over the man when it suddenly turns to the left to lift a container and the victim was moving along the blindside of the crane operator.   

Although necessary safety guidelines are in place to maintain a secure working environment such rare accidents could occur owing to the negligence of the workers, the sources within the premises said.