A truck-mounted crane operator accidentally destroyed a footbridge in Shau Kei Wan on Saturday.
In a moment of absent-mindedness, the 63-year-old, surnamed Yip, left the machine in the extended position. He then tried to drive under the bridge. Whoops.
According to the SCMP, the heavily damaged structure on Chai Wan Road had to be removed by the Highways Department, which cordoned off the area until 11am yesterday.
The Standard reported that Yip — who has been operating truck-mounted cranes for 30 years — took responsibility for the mishap.
He had been working at the Shau Kei Wan East Government Secondary School and forgot to return the crane to its original position after loading thick wooden planks onto the truck, the newspaper reported.
As the crane wasn’t swinging, and because there were no warning signals inside the cabin, the first reminder of his oversight came when, driving at about 30km/h to 40km/h, he plowed into the footbridge about 5pm.
Yip, who was initially trapped inside the cabin, was taken to hospital, where he was treated for injuries to his nose.
He insisted there was no mechanical fault and said he was prepared to pay compensation for the damage.
“My mind was all over the place. I am so sorry for affecting so many people,” he said, the Standard reported.
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