An empty water tank weighing 14 tons (12.7 metric tons) was being lifted by a crane onto a water tower frame. The land around the new community water tower had been excavated the previous month and refilled. Instability in the ground caused the crane to begin toppling toward the water tower. The crane and tower both fell, knocking down nearby power lines. The crane operator was injured. A worker in a ladder cage on the tower was also hurt. Another worker, waiting on the tower for the water tank to be placed, died of massive injuries to the head, chest and abdomen. Investigators made recommendations to prevent a similar tragedy. They said cranes must be set up properly, with outrigger pads on stable footing.

The lifting operation should be monitored closely for signs of instability from the ground or the load. Pre-lift engineering of ground stability would also have been in order.