Crane topples over at Edgewood Tahoe construction site

Nobody was injured when a crane being operated at the new Lodge at Edgewood Tahoe toppled over on Wednesday afternoon.

The crane, owned by Connolly Crane out of Gardnerville, NV, was getting ready to move when the operator released the brake instead of the house lock according to Kelly Connolly, the owner of Connolly Crane.

The 117,000 pound piece of machinery was still on its side a few hours after the accident. Connolly said they were bringing in a 100 ton crane and a 200 ton crane Wednesday night to bring the fallen crane upright. He also said a factory representative from the crane company was heading to Lake Tahoe to look at the situation.

"This is really a shocker," said Connolly. "No one got hurt, that's what matters." The only damage was to a tree, and there was hydraulic fluid leaking from the crane onto the ground under the crane.

The crane operator has 40 years of experience, and Connolly said that in his 28 years in owning the company he's never even had a worker's comp issue.

There is a ground breaking ceremony at Edgewood Tahoe on Thursday, October 1 for the $100 million dollar project which is expanding the golf course, bringing all-season lodging, and new recreation opportunities.