(Cass County, Iowa) – In an update to our earlier reports, Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken told KJAN News a bridge that partially collapsed Thursday afternoon northeast of Massena, was due to the operator of a crane taking a short cut to the job site, and crossing the bridge with an overweight load. The driver – whose name has not yet been released – was trapped in the crane cab , but managed to get out. He suffered lacerations to his face and neck. Wolken said the three of the five concrete double-T panels on the Pella Road bridge collapsed, causing the crane – owned by Mammoet Crane Company – to topple over into the creek. The accident happened around one-quarter of a mile east of 765th on Pella Road, at around 3-p.m.

Wolken said the bridge had just been replaced about five-years ago. Replacement panels have been ordered, but with delays in supply and shipping, it will likely be several weeks before the road is re-opened at the scene. Wolken said also, the crane was enroute to one of the South Rolling Hills wind turbine “re-power” project sites, to help with the removal and replacement of certain wind turbine blades. It was NOT permitted to use that route. Wolken said the bridge, like most in the County, had a legal load rate of 80,000-lbs, but the crane was about 120-thousand pounds, and was not being transported on a trailer for load displacement, as it should have been if it were permitted.

Cumberland-Massena Fire and Rescue, Cass EMS, and Sheriff’s Deputies were initially dispatched to the scene, but the incident was handled by a Massena unit, and the others, with the exception of the Sheriff’s Department, were told to disregard. No information has been released (as of this report), with regard to any charges the driver and/or crane company may face, if any.