HOMEOWNERS in a major Irish town had a lucky escape yesterday after a crane collapsed only inches from their house.
Residents in Navan, Co Meath told how the local community were left horrified following the incident.
The incident saw a crane partially collapse this morning near a building site in a residential area of the busy town.
It occurred between Brews Hill and Emmet Terrace shortly before midday.
Nearby, there is an apartment block being developed at the construction site.
Here, it is understood that a crane was being used to remove a skip at the time of its collapse.
Significant damage was caused when the arms of the crane landed in the back garden of a home in Emmet Terrace.
As the crane collapsed, the skip it was transporting fell on the bonnet of a van that was parked between the estate and the site, according to RTE.
There have been no reports of any injuries following the incident but some people who had been working in the local area narrowly missed out on damage.
Four separate units from Meath County Fire and Rescue Service rushed to the scene following the incident, along with Gardai.
Two arrived from Navan, with the other two responding from Trim.
The area has since been sealed off and two telescopic cranes are being used to facilitate the removal of the one that collapsed.
‘SHAKING LIKE A LEAF’
A woman whose mum lives in the house next to the home that was damaged told RTE that the incident sounded like an explosion.
Tammy Dunne said: “There is a small furniture factory in the back garden of the house next door and the two lads had just got out of their van and went into the factory.
“The skip fell on the van and if the two lads had still been in it, they surely would have been killed.”
She added that a painter working on the houses had just taken his lunch break when the incident occurred.
She continued: “He had just taken his lunch and when he heard the noise, he ran back around into the garden.
“All the tins of paint where he had been working had been crushed. He was shaking like a leaf.”
COUNCIL AWARE
Meath County Council have confirmed that they are aware of the incident.
They said in a statement: “Meath County Council is aware of an incident involving a crane that occurred at a building site at Emmet Terrace/Brews Hill.
“Meath County Council Fire and Rescue Service is at the scene. No injuries have been reported at this time.
“The council is engaging with the contractors in relation to this incident.”
