A heavy duty tree removal crane tipped over Sunday afternoon in Largo, smashing vehicles, a trailer and a home
But there were no injuries.
According to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to the home of 50-year-old Melinda Jenkins, located on Dream Way in Largo after the 30,000 pound crane tipped over.
According to deputies, crane operator Danny Tomas of Sustainable Tree Service was able to jump off the crane safely after it began tipping over. Tomas was in the process of removing a large tree when the accident occurred.
“The driver of the truck jumped off of the platform and landed in between the mailbox and that wood and did a little tuck and roll, things and spun down on to that ground and survived," said Jeffery Claus, whose home and van were damaged by the crane. "It was so scary I thought he was going to die.”
Deputies say the crane caused damage to a Honda Civic owned by 54-year-old Megan Sampson; a 2011 Rockwood trailer owned by 64-year-old Robert Fasoldt; a 2003 Chevy Venture owned by 54-year-old Sandra Beard; and a 2003 Dodge 2500 van owned by 53-year-old Jeffrey Clause. Clauses' home also sustained severe damage to the roof and base.
Beard is just thankful she and the kids got out of the way in time.
“Just asked him to move that van, and that crane fell on it," said Beard. "So thank God.”
Tomas said a piece of equipment on the crane, called an outrigger, snapped which caused it all to tip over.
According to deputies, Duke Energy responded to the scene after the crane also caused damage to a light pole.
An investigation is ongoing and crews are assessing the damage to the vehicles, RV and home.