Screamer's Weight Unknown To Scandia, Crane Company Prior To Collapse

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - Six months ago, a giant crane came crashing down at Scandia Family Fun Center seriously injuring one worker. The crane was removing a ride called the Screamer. The investigation is in, and it shows no one moving the ride knew just how much it weighed.

"It went like a big boom and we got out the go carts and were like, "What the hell?'" said a park visitor who witnessed the incident.

One worker's arm was crushed and two other people were also hurt. The Cal/OSHA investigation shows that incredibly, neither Scandia, nor the crane company it hired, knew how heavy the load was.

Guessed at seven tons, it actually weighed 14 -- that's 28,000 pounds.

"Thats twice. It's times two. It's simple," said Tim Baliel, a crane operator and instructor at A better Valley Crane.

"You need to know weights. You need to know math. You need to know radiuses," said Baliel.

The CAL/OSHA investigation found: "Scandia Sports, Inc. did not know the weight of the ride to be removed and did not have a qualified rigger available to determine the magnitude of the load." It said Maxim Crane Works: "Allowed its crane to hoist a load beyond the rated capacity of a safe working load."

Baliel says Scandia should have had records of the weight of the ride when it was first installed.

"If it came in on five or six trucks, there's a reason. And it did come in on that many trucks," said Baliel.

Scandia responded to the Cal/OSHA report with a statement reading: "Scandia will continue to comply with all OSHA regulations and standards as we bring back the Screamer thrill ride."

The crane company referred CBS13 to corporate headquarters on the east cost.

It was a massive move. Now the Cal/OSHA report shows a massive miscalculation led to the collapse.