Two people were seriously injured and several others slightly hurt when a large crane on the Black Thunder Mine in northeast Wyoming collapsed this afternoon.
About 12:30 p.m., Campbell County Deputy Sheriff C.T. Akers said he received a call that a crane had collapsed 13 miles east of the town of Wright, Wyo. The crane, whose base is about 485 feet long, was used in the construction of new coal storage silos.
Workers were in the process of putting in place a section of piping used to hold a conveyer belt that transports the coal to the silos, when the crane collapsed or fell, Akers said.
At this time it is unclear what caused the crane collapse.
“All we know is that the cause was not a criminal act, so we’ve turned the investigation over to the fire department and the railroad,” Akers said.
The Black Thunder Mine is serviced by both BNSF Railway and Union Pacific Railway.
BNSF spokesman Gus Melonas said as a result of the collapse, about 70 feet of pipe is on the mainline or the track servicing the mine.
He said BNSF Railway personnel are now the scene, and have shut down the rail line for safety, and to keep trains from moving into the area.
The west end of the mine has been taken out of service. The south end of the mine remains in service, Melonas said.
Since initial inspections have shown that the railways are not damaged, Melonas said he expects the line to reopen later today once the investigators say it is safe, and the railway has been cleared of all debris.
As for those seriously injured, Akers said one had to be airlifted to Campbell County Memorial Hospital in Gillette, Wyo., while two others were transported by ambulance.
The condition of those injured has not been released.
Anna Haislip: 303-954-1638 or ahaislip@denverpost.com
