A 630ft crane which collapsed in Peterhead earlier this year has finally been righted after a week-long recovery operation.
The 16-wheel Liebherr lifting machine sank into soft ground at Dales Park industrial estate back in May.
Despite earlier efforts to remove the 96-tonne vehicle by owners Whyte Crane Hire, it has taken months of meticulous planning to finally get it back on its wheels.
Dozens of workers spent five days first cutting off the machine’s buckled lifting boom, and then gently lowering the cab – left hanging 50ft in the air after the incident – back onto firm ground.
The operator was not in the cab at the time and no one was injured.
The roads around the Aquatic Engineering premises – the site at which bizarre accident occurred – were cordoned off during the salvage operation to discourage sightseers.
Earlier this week, a spokeswoman for Aquatic said: “We are working with the local constabulary to restrict access to all but those engaged in the recovery, or working in and around the Dales industrial estate for the duration of the operation.
“A team of 40 people will be on site, together with four or five cranes needed to assist in the recovery.”
It is understood Whyte Crane Hire had only taken delivery of the £3m machine weeks before it collapsed.