WDJT live truck mast hits power lines

[The Thrill]

From the station that brought you the news submarine a few years ago...

...comes this.

Thank the Lord the crew's OK, but...SERIOUSLY, people! You've gotta think SAFETY out there! LOOK UP AND LIVE!

 

[f11vid]

Thank goodness they're alright. WTMJ's chopper cam op needs to learn how to set his drift.

 

[svp]

Wow. I'm at a shock at how the crew didn't see those numerous power lines on such a bright clear day. We're not talking about one powerline at dusk or after dark. Anyone have any info on the make-up of the staff at this station? Lot of turnover? Vets? Newbies? VJ's?

UPDATE: Now that I actually read the article I see they drove off with the mast up. This amazes me. When I was working local news, our live trucks would not go into gear if the mast was up. It was a great safety feature that prevented this kind of accident from happening. I'm surprised it isn't federal law to require that safety feature on ALL vehicles with telecoping masts.

 

[SeattleShooter]

Does this station train their photogs?

 

[csusandman]

"...I think there's a little bit of embarrassment here..."

Multiplied ten-fold by the coverage of their competitors of course!

Glad everyone's ok though...

 

[Shootblue]

"Some potentially shocking news this morning"

I could anchor with wit like that.

 

[virtualchuck]

2 words "Weigel Broadcasting"

 

[Chicago Dog]

Does this station train their photogs?

That's a damn scary question with an equally scary answer: I doubt it. Why else would they have three live truck accidents in the span of five years? Even one is too many.

Does OSHA get involved when there's a live truck accident?

 

[Necktie Boy]

How do you drive away with 30 foot mask up? Doesn't the truck rock and roll with that extra top heavy weight?

Training....training...training...

 

[Photogblake]

no safety features on their eng truck?

 

[The Old Guy]

If I was asked to operate a live truck and it didn't have hydro sensors and drive off lockout, I would simply refuse. I would rather work at Walmart. After 20 years on live trucks I refuse to put my life at risk for a corporation. Any and every live truck operator, no matter how much training or experience, is capable of making a life threatening mistake. That's why the safety devices exist.