A crane has collapsed on Frankston Hospital, with around 70 people needing to be evacuated.
Fire Rescue Victoria told NCA NewsWire emergency services were called to the hospital about 10am on Wednesday to reports a crane had fallen on to one of the buildings.
“Crews arrived within five minutes and assisted with the evacuation of approximately 50 occupants, and will remain on scene,” they said.
Greg Christison, assistant chief fire officer at Fire Rescue Victoria, said the Frankston Fire Service received a routine call at approximately 10am on Wednesday following reports of the crane crash.
Mr Christison said the crane fell on the hospital’s mental health ward, which contained about 70 people, half of whom were patients while the rest were medical practitioners.
“Scenes were somewhat chaotic,” he told NCA NewsWire on Wednesday afternoon. He said FRV crews were initially required to deal with concerns over gas leaks and water ruptures.
Mr Christison said there between “30 to 40” FRV crew members at the scene, and said there were about the same number of police and ambulance services.
He said it was “remarkable no one was injured”.
A Victoria Police spokesperson said police attended the scene.
“Officers have been told the crane was being operated in a construction zone on Yuille St when it has tipped onto the building just after 10:30am,” the spokesperson told NCA Newswire.
“About 70 people have been evacuated from the hospital as a precaution and no one was injured in the incident,” they said.
The spokesperson said Work Safe had been notified.
A caller who identified herself as Sally told Melbourne radio station 3AW the crane had fallen on the hospital’s inpatient unit.
Pictures published by the broadcaster show the crane crashing through the hospital’s roof.
“The place has been evacuated,” Sally said.
“It (the crane) is quite big.”
So far, no injuries had been reported.
NCA NewsWire has contacted Ambulance Victoria for comment.
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