About 10 a.m. on Friday, January 23, a hydraulic crane lift toppled, injuring the driver, who has been identified as 28-year-old Lionel Torres. According to Campus Police Chief Randy Melton, Torres suffered multiple broken bones. Torres was strapped in at the time of the accident.
Oncor is working to repair a power line that was torn down when the crane toppled on the west side of the dormitory construction site. The driver was taken to ETMC shortly after 10 a.m.
The down line only affects the new building. Chief Melton said they do not know precisely what caused the accident, but the mud due to recent heavy rain may have contributed to the lift becoming unbalanced and falling.
Construction has been halted for the day. We will update the story as new information becomes available.
