Runaway truck hits crane in Flein, forcing its dismantling

A truck rolled downhill and hit a construction crane in Flein, in Germany’s Heilbronn district, on Thursday.

The driver had stepped out to check the truck when it began moving on a sloping road.

It travelled about 100 metres before striking the crane at a construction site.

The impact left the crane badly tilted and at risk of collapse, according to police.

A specialist company secured and dismantled the crane, while the area was closed during the work.

The road closure was lifted early Friday morning, after work continued through the night.

The truck was written off, and the crane was considered beyond repair; estimates put the crane damage at about 180,000 euros, with the truck damage estimated at 20,000 to 30,000 euros.