No injuries.
The story goes like this...
Recent works to the Don River walking track came to an abrupt halt earlier this afternoon, when a Caterpillar 320 excavator ended up on its side in the Don River.
“It was always going to be dicey on that soft section of the bank”, said one worker.
Several crane companies were contacted, but none of them would touch it as they did not have the equipment required to haul such a heavy machine from such a precarious position, and also due to the limited access.
A race against the incoming tide was now in effect.
A larger, privately operated excavator was brought in by truck to clear a base so the affected excavator had somewhere to land once righted.
A Cat D7 dozer with a winch was also trucked in, and large chains and a cable to the winch were attached.
On first effort at righting the excavator, it came up about half way before the chain broke and the excavator landed spectacularly in the river again.
Some further digging then took place in preparation for another attempt.
With the aid of the larger excavator lifting the Cat 320, as well as the winch on the D7 dozer, the second attempt was successful.
It was most fortunate that it had happened at low tide, although work would probably not have been going on in that area had the tide been high.
The driver escaped through the top hatch and was uninjured, although perhaps a little embarrassed.
Work on the track is hoping to be completed by Easter.
The track has been closed for 18 months after a flood washed a section away.
More about the track
here though they say nothing about the closure, or the fact that they have closed it for 18 months!!! Typical slack council.
Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2007 9:19 am
