Accident kills crane operator

PALM HARBOR - A crane operator was killed Monday afternoon in an accident at Home Port Marina in Palm Harbor.

OSHA and the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office are investigating. Sheriff's Office investigators say the machine's operator was lifting the mast of a forklift so that the mast could be repaired.

"We were told by someone who works at the Home Port Marina that the tension wasn't tight, at which point the mast on the forklift gave away and brought down the crane," Sgt. Jeff Bronson told FOX 13.

For most of the evening, the crane sat flipped on its side on top of two boats. Curious boaters gathered at the scene.

"It doesn't look good out there. It's a shame," said Stan Margulies.

"I think people will pull together, pay their respects if somebody was injured that we know, but either way you hate to see it happen because Palm Harbor is a big small community and in the boating community it's even closer," added boater Frank Miller.

The crane operator was an independent contractor hired by the marina to do the work.

The sheriff's office says Ivan Hubbert, 71, was ejected from crane.

Late Monday, Bronson said he was not sure whether Hubbert was wearing a seatbelt.