Police Conclude Crane Collapse Investigation

Police investigations into the circumstances surrounding the sudden collapse of a construction crane next to Grapevine offices last month has concluded, RÚV reports. Police now await a report from the Administration of Occupational Safety and Health (AOSH) to decide whether or not charges need to be pressed, and against whom.

As reported, the crane collapsed on a building located right next door to Grapevine offices. Although no one was injured, RÚV reports that the crane narrowly missed crushing two 16-year-old girls, who were sitting at a table next to Bæjarins bestu when the crane collapsed. They were very shaken, but fortunately otherwise unscathed.

Work supervisory authorities found that a device that is supposed to disable the crane when it is carrying too great a load was probably disabled. As such, the weight of the crane’s load likely exerted enough momentum to buckle the structure completely. It has already been confirmed that the crane was lifting beyond its capacity.

Eyjólfur Sæmundsson, the director of AOSH, told reporters that his office has the authority to stop construction if they believe there are serious security concerns at the location. As more than one contractor is likely involved in the construction, it is especially important that they are all acting in accordance with work safety regulations.