Kent County Jail crane collapse scene.
GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM)- We are getting our first glimpse of what the crane looked like as it fell onto the Kent County Jail earlier this month.
It happened February 10th when construction crews were working on a multi-million dollar renovation project.
Part of the 250-foot crane can bee seen falling back onto the fleet garage, then the larger piece fell onto a section of new construction at the jail complex.
The initial investigation indicated that a cable snapped on the crane. Three people suffered minor injuries. Part of the jail's water line and the heating system were damaged. Several inmates had to be moved.
"We still have 170-200 inmates at other county jails. That will continue until the crane is removed or ensured that there is no other damage to existing facility and then to and look at the repairs thaT we're going to need to do, when we can bring inmates back", says Undersheriff John Hess.
Hess says that the majority of the repairs will be paid for by insurance companies. The damaged crane will be removed, starting at 8 am Wednesday. It will then be replaced by a new crane.
By Sarah Sell