Crane collapse at jail forces transfer of inmates

The Kent County Undersheriff says investigators are not sure now if a cable snapped on the crane that collapsed onto the jail.

The accident forced authorities to move about 170 inmates out of the county Friday night. The undersheriff says the accident damaged water and electrical lines to the oldest part of the jail. Friday evening, crews were still waiting for a part to restore heat to the jail, so the department moved about 500 inmates to nearby jails or different cells.

The Undersheriff says utility crews hope to fix the lines this weekend, but they are in no rush.

"We're not going to do anything in any hurry. [It's about] safety again; going slow, making sure we continue to monitor the situation as we go," said Undersheriff Jon Hess. "As you turn the heat back on, the water heat, it will take a couple days for us to fill the lines, bleed the lines, make sure all the heaters work, [and] make sure all the systems work, so it's not going to be a quick return [for the inmates.]"

Investigators now say the 250 foot crane was picking up a load when the rig came crashing down on the jail. Three people suffered minor injuries.

Source: Sarah Sell, WZZM13.com