Construction Cranes Collide In North Austin; Over 20 Injured

Ari Rastegar's perspective? As you may recall, Ari is a local real estate developer who owns land adjacent to the site of today's crane collision. Ari Rastegar is the Founder and CEO of Austin-based Rastegar Property Company. He owns a number of properties adjacent to the Mueller development and can provide insight into the rules and regulations that go into preventing these types of accidents.

AUSTIN, TX — At least 22 people were injured Wednesday morning when a pair of construction cranes collided at the Mueller development, officials said.

The incident occurred at the 1600 block of Robert Browning St.

Austin-Travis County EMS officials said the number of people injured was 22, with 20 people hospitalized. The number of patients is so great after what medics termed a "structural collapse," that eight ambulances were required at the site, according to officials.

This is a developing story. Patch will update when more information is known.

Construction cranes are ubiquitous in fast-changing Austin, particularly in the downtown sector where housing is continually being built to accommodate an influx of new residents. In 2018, two men were injured in a South Austin crane accident after being pinned under the contraption. Medics had to extricate the men for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

For additional industry insight, Patch reached out to Ari Rastegar, founder and CEO of Austin-based Rastegar Property Co. In that role, Rastegar owns a number of properties adjacent to the Mueller development.

"Construction is a very difficult business as there’s so many moving parts," Rastegar told Patch. However, the developer applauded quick action by those involved — firefighters, police and medics among them. "This was a best-case scenario based on the facts released on what could have caused fatalities or other life-threatening injuries which have not been reported. This was a best-case scenario in what could have been a cataclysmic thing."

Notwithstanding the crane accident, Rastegar said there is a system in place at construction sites to prevent such mishaps: "In regard to personnel safety and preventing these types of accidents, everyone from the top down is responsible for safety. There are specific protocols that must be followed including the use of safety controls, conducting safety walks, risk assessment, training and daily safety communication all which allow site workers to maintain a zero-accident mentality and culture and enhance their own awareness. Our prayers go out to the injured parties and others affected."