Crane Accident Closes Portion Of 5 Freeway In San Clemente
SAN CLEMENTE (CBSLA.com) — Authorities say a crane accident has prompted the partial closure of a major thoroughfare in San Clemente.
The accident on the northbound lanes of the 5 Freeway at Avenida Pico occurred about 3 p.m., causing gridlock for miles.
Authorities say the big-rig carrying a large construction crane lost control, swerved into the center divider and overturned.
Upon impact, a portion of the crane struck the pavement on the southbound lanes of the freeway.
No injuries were reported.
However, the crash caused four of the five lanes to remain shut for hours.
KCAL9's Stacey Butler reports that the crane was estimated to weigh 110,000 pounds and required that two additional cranes be brought in to carefully remove the debris from the thoroughfare.
Lanes were not expected to reopen until about midnight, according to Butler.
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