Crane operator suffered heart attack

A crane’s hoist boom used by Moto Construction to help move a statue of Craig Schurig, Washburn’s head football coach, onto the roof of Whiting fell into the northeast side of the building at 4:45 pm today.

The crane’s operator, Curtis Conley, suffered a heart attack while operating the crane.

At this point, there have been three reported fatalities including Conley.

The type of crane used was a Crawler-Mounted Latticework Boom Crane. The hoist boom, which carries whatever object is being raised, is operated manually to move up or down or to extend. The hoist boom is what fell into the building.

Conley had been a crane operator for 25 years and worked for Moto Construction for 20 years.

“Joe was a great man and it is sad that he passed that way but I know he would want our focus to be on helping other people get to safety,” said John Moto, owner of Moto Construction.

Dr. Jerry Farley, Washburn’s president, has urged all students and members of the community to stay clear of Whiting while crews search for people.

“It is a great tragedy,” said Farley. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Joe’s family but this tragedy may not be over. Our recovery crews are working diligently and hurriedly to help anyone who may have been the path of the crane.”

Jack Jackson, a Washburn sophomore, saw the crane run into Whiting. He ran to a help phone located south of Stoffer Science Hall at the west end of the parking lot to make the Washburn police aware.

“I just knew it was not good, I had no idea the crane operated had a heart attack, all I knew was that I needed to get help,” said Jackson.

At this point The Washburn Police Department has blocked all roads leading into campus. Emergency services from the area have been called in to assist with searching and transporting people to hospitals if needed.

“We sent out a timely warning in hopes of making all students aware of what has happened,” said Mike Mitchell, Washburn Law Enforcement office “We have evacuated the building and our main focus is getting anyone who may be trapped beneath the rubble out.”

“Fortunately, there are not many people in Whiting at this time of day,” said Mitchell.

Washburn University’s Whiting building located on the East side of campus was just renovated for $6.9 million. Renovations were completed in  August 2009.

Washburn’s main telephone number was set up for parents and community members to call and receive updates about the building. For information, please call (785) 673-1482.