Published on January 15, 2005

The massive arms of a crane being used to build a bridge over the Chao Phya River in Samut Prakan crashed to the earth with a roar on Thursday night, causing Bt5 million in damage – but injuring no one.

Residents of Phra Ratchaissariyaporn Road in Phra Pradaeng district were frightened by the loud noise when the twin arms, each weighing 20 tonnes, fell from the crane at about 9pm, wrecking a teachers’ apartment, a utility pole and a fence.

Wilaiwan Poonprasert, 50, a teacher, said the accident scared everyone because the crane’s arms were huge. “I heard a thunderous sound and people screaming. When I saw what happened, my family and I got out fast,” she said.

The road was closed for more than eight hours while an emergency crew hauled away the arms.

An engineer on site blamed a “technical error” but said further investigation was needed to determine the exact cause. Police said they too would investigate.

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