Nation & World

<< Previous   of   Next >> Steve Ueckert / The Houston Chronicle  (click to enlarge) A crane collapse at the LyondellBasell refinery in Houston on Friday killed four workers and injured seven others.   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Do you have a news tip? newstips@heraldnet.com | 425.339.3400   Published: Saturday, July 19, 2008 Crane collapse kills 4 at Houston refinery Associated Press HOUSTON -- One of the nation's largest mobile cranes collapsed at a Houston oil refinery Friday, killing four workers and injuring seven others in the latest of several fatal accidents that have raised concerns about the safety of construction cranes. The 30-story-tall crane, capable of lifting 1 million pounds, fell over at a LyondellBasell refinery in southeast Houston about 2 p.m., said Jim Roecker, the company's vice president for refining. The massive red crane lay on top of a smaller yellow crane on the grounds of the refinery. Ambulances and fire trucks were lined up outside. The casualties were in the area of the crane, but officials still aren't certain whether they were on the crane or under it, Roecker said. Three of the injured were treated and released at the scene, said Houston Fire Department Assistant Chief Omero Longoria. Two severely injured workers were taken by helicopter to Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center hospital and the other two injured workers were taken to a hospital by ambulance. The crane belonged to Deep South Crane & Rigging. Roecker described it as one of the nation's largest mobile cranes, at 300 feet tall with a 400-foot boom. Construction cranes run taller, but they are not mobile. The crane had not been scheduled to do any work until next week, but Roecker said its engine was idling after it hit the ground. "This is a traumatic experience for all of us. We have to focus on the safety and health of our employees," he said. Deep South spokeswoman Margaret Landry issued a statement from the company's headquarters in Baton Rouge, La., saying it was investigating "to determine the root cause, correct it and ensure that this type of tragedy does not occur again." The Houston refinery is one of the world's largest for processing high-sulfur crude oil. The facility itself covers about 700 acres along the Houston Ship Channel at the city limits of Houston and Pasadena. Texas is one of 35 states that do not require crane operators to be licensed.

1. Boeing, Machinists union agree to talks 2. Crash injures 1, blocks highway near Granite Falls 3. Meridian Yachts to shut down; hundreds to lose jobs 4. 'Opus' creator to retire from drawing comic strips 5. Supreme Court ruling clears way for Dwayne Lane's Island Crossing plans 6. Few answers in fatal Snohomish fire 7. Horizon's request is no worry to Allegiant 8. U.S. 2 trestle to be closed Friday night 9. Fixes for Lake Stevens bus policy satisfy parent 10. Vikings' Dickinson practices, doubtful for showdown with M-P 2 - Top 10 Stories Most Talked about 3 - Top 10 Stories Most Emailed

• 'Free' solution to costly problem? • King's beats Archbishop Murphy, takes over lead in Cascade Conference • One sweet training program • Who says white men can't rap? • Anonymous parent salvages snacks at school • Court move's plans raise questions • Jackson prevails in overtime thriller • Meadowdale's Moore-Taylor runs wild • Jackson breaks through late, beats Scots • Paine Field airline service strongly supported by 71 percent of web surv ... • Verizon launches FiOS TV in Washington State • Leisure Time Events - September 2008 • September 2008 • State needs to establish north county campus to meet growing technology ... • Future software programs may be based online • Visit two unusual Paine Field aviation museums for historic and futurist ... • Mothers launch Kids ‘N’ Clay pottery studio to provide children with cre ...