Crane driver escapes as power cable ignites vehicle

A crane driver narrowly escaped death yesterday when the crane he was driving severed a high-voltage power cable, setting his vehicle on fire within seconds.

Mohammed Jakkah, head of the Department of Electricity and Water, said the driver did not notice that the arm of the crane was still upright. As he drove the vehicle, it hit a lamp post and severed a power cable which fell on the crane. The vehicle caught fire immediately, but the driver leapt out in time.

The power supply turned itself off automatically when the cable was cut. Department technicians quickly fixed the cable and restored the power. The driver was admitted to hospital where he underwent a medical check that showed he was uninjured. He will be released soon.