Port Manatee Worker Killed When Crane Basket Crushes Him

A 48-year-old Tampa man working at Port Manatee unloading bananas from a ship was killed this morning, after a 5,500-pound basket for a crane fell on him, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

Authorities are not releasing the worker's identity until his next of kin is notified. The sheriff's office has reported the accident to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. OSHA will investigate the accident, said Dave Bristow, a spokesman for the sheriff's office.

The accident happened at about 9 a.m. at Berth 12. The worker, who was pronounced dead at the scene, was walking across a loading area on Del Monte Way, when he was pinned underneath the 5,500-pound crane basket, according to a report from the sheriff's office. The worker was apparently preparing to go on break and did not see that the crane was operating when he walked into the area, Bristow said.

Stay with Patch for further details.