Chattanooga, TN – Two workers were injured on a Chattanooga construction site Wednesday afternoon after a crane came into contact with a high-voltage power line, leaving one man seriously injured and another with minor injuries.
At approximately 2:50 p.m. on April 2, Chattanooga Fire Department’s Green Shift crews were dispatched to the 4800 block of Woodland Circle in the Hixson area. Responders arrived to find a construction mishap that occurred during crane operations on the site.
According to authorities, one of the workers was operating the crane while the second was on the ground acting as a spotter. During the lift, the crane’s overhaul hook ball made contact with a high-powered electrical line.
The impact energized the entire crane, electrocuting the operator inside the cab. He sustained serious injuries from the electrical shock.
The ground spotter, though not in direct contact with the crane, was also affected by the incident. The electrical surge reportedly threw him back, resulting in minor injuries. Both individuals were transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Firefighters quickly provided medical assistance to both victims and secured the area to prevent further injuries. The power company, EPB, was notified and responded to de-energize the crane and eliminate any hazards to nearby residents.
Officials confirmed that the crane and its surrounding equipment, including outriggers and grounding pads, were smoldering when firefighters arrived. A small fire was extinguished at the scene.
The incident is under investigation to determine how the crane came into contact with the power line and whether safety protocols were followed.
Construction in the area has been temporarily halted while authorities and safety inspectors continue to examine the equipment and the conditions that led to the accident. No further details about the workers’ identities or current medical conditions have been released at this time.