The man tried to support the car with one hand to crush the car to death.

In Renwu District, Kaohsiung, a tragic construction accident occurred when a tow truck, improperly configured for a lifting operation, overturned due to an unstable center of gravity, leading to one fatality and one injury. The incident was captured in a photograph showing the moment of collapse. The driver, attempting to manage the load with a joystick, was caught in the disaster when the truck began to tip over. Despite his attempt to stabilize it with one hand, he was unable to escape and was fatally crushed under the vehicle’s eagle frame.

The scene depicted a man in a blue shirt operating the equipment. As he maneuvered the joystick, a sudden noise alerted him to the tow truck’s instability. Turning, he saw the vehicle tilt. His immediate reaction was to try supporting it manually, but the overwhelming weight and momentum were too much, leading to his demise as the eagle frame collapsed onto him.

At the construction site, routine activities were halted following the accident. A conversation between workers revealed the suspension of work, with one stating, “Are you replacing the preservation today? Yes, they are on vacation, and I’ll take care of them.” Nearby, another worker mentioned the uncertainty about when operations might resume, indicating a lack of clear communication on the site’s status.

The accident site in Gong’an, now fenced off, remains inactive. The incident involved a tow truck whose crane was not properly supported, causing it to tip over during operations. This oversight by the driver, surnamed Jin, who skipped essential safety protocols, led to his death within seconds of the crane’s collapse.

In response, the Kaohsiung Labor Bureau organized a safety seminar for over 100 crane operators, using this incident as a cautionary tale. Secretary-General Pi Zhongmou emphasized the importance of adhering to safety protocols, particularly the need for external supports when extending crane arms. The construction company faces a fine of 300,000 yuan for negligence in supervision, aiming to underscore the critical nature of safety compliance in construction work.