On the 1 August 2005 council workers were constructing an extension to an existing culvert and repairing the head wall of the culvert.
 
The council brought in a 100-tonne crane to the job, as the 60-tonne crane it was using was not long enough.
 
The crane's outriggers were placed on the earth at the top of the embankment where there was insufficient bearing capacity. The ground gave way and the crane toppled into the culvert. It missed the five men working in the culvert by no more than five metres.
 
Health and Safety Executive Inspector Michael Brown said: "The site manager had been called away and the foreman who was left in charge did not have training or knowledge of lifting operations, and the operation was not properly planned or adequately supervised."