A shocking video doing the rounds on social media shows the terrifying moment a forklift is crushed by a collapsing stack of containers.
In the footage, the forklift is seen reversing with a container on its forks when a nearby stack of five containers begins to wobble. Without warning, the containers topple over, with one landing squarely on top of the forklift’s cabin and sending the operator flying to the ground.
Viewers were left stunned by the severity of the crash. What makes it even more chilling is that it all happened in a busy container yard where such incidents can easily turn fatal.
Miraculously, according to reports, the forklift operator survived the incident and was rushed to hospital. He is believed to be a 37-year-old man and was later confirmed to have survived the ordeal.
Online observers, including experienced port workers, were quick to point out possible causes. Many suspect poor stacking practices, as it is evident in the video that the next stack was sitting on the container he moved, causing the whole stack to come crashing onto the forklift.
Watch: Container falls off ship during unloading at Cape Town port
With the way the containers were stacked, it is also clear that they were empty. Had they been loaded, the outcome could have been catastrophic.
Following the incident, authorities halted container handling operations at the site and launched a full investigation. A safety time-out was also called to ensure stacking procedures were being properly followed.
The incident took place on Monday morning, 25 November 2024, at Pasir Panjang Terminal 3 in Singapore. Port operator PSA Singapore has confirmed the investigation is ongoing and that support is being provided to the injured worker.
This is a harsh reminder that container yards are dangerous and safety shortcuts can cost lives. Watch the video below:
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