Neighbours left shocked after rogue crane destroys house

Neighbours are in shock after a hired machine caused significant structural damage to a property in Mount Gambier. See the dramatic video.

Neighbours have been left stunned after heavy machinery hired by an unknown man ploughed into a house causing serious structural damage and leaving it uninhabitable.

About 12.30pm on Wednesday, police and emergency crews were called to the Hanson Street property in Mount Gambier after reports a crane with a forklift attached had smashed into a house.

Neighbour Roy Uphill said the owner was shocked and angry.

A man's house has been left uninhabitable after a hired crane caused serious structural damage. Picture: Arj Ganesan

Remnants of the homeowner's front porch. Picture: Arj Ganesan

“He was emotional as you would be,” he said.

“He bought it as an investment property — (now) the house is a write off, it’s got to be destroyed.”

Living opposite the now ruined house, Ebony Lawson went running to her window when she heard the loud machinery outside.

Ebony Lawson saw the crane damage the house. Picture: Arj Ganesan

“(The man) drove in the driveway and (the crane) hit the pergola at the front door,” Ms Lawson said.

Using the tines on the vehicle the man appeared to “recklessly swing it”, hitting the side of the building.

Seeing the dramatic scene unfold, Mr Uphill exchanged terse words with the driver.

“I was here reading the paper - then I heard a smash and a thud and as I came outside he was just running into the corner of the house,” he said.

“Then as he was backing out he cleaned up the fence.

“As he came out (of the vehicle) I said ‘what the f***?’.

“He said he was feeling dizzy and asked if I could ring him an ambulance.”

However, before Mr Uphill could finish calling emergency services, the man hopped back into the vehicle, leaving the scene.

The crane nears the house. Picture: Ebony Lawson

An employee from Sharp Cranes, who did not wish to be identified, said the man had hired a telehandler, similar to a large forklift.

“He had the appropriate licence to drive it on the road,” he said.

“The first I heard about it was when the police contacted me that one of our machines had been in an incident.

“I told him that none of our operators have been anywhere near there.”

 A police spokesman said investigations into the incident were ongoing and no charges had been laid.

“Inquiries identified the driver as a 60-year-old local man who is assisting police,” the spokesman said.
The owner of the property declined to comment.