Pinoy Seaman Nearly Loses Leg in Australia Ship Accident
A Filipino seafarer nearly lost his leg Monday when he and a companion figured in an accident while their ship was docked in Australia, reports said.
A report on The West Australian said one of the Filipino’s legs suffered compound fractures after being trapped under equipment that he and his Portugese co-worker were moving.
The Filipino’s 55-year-old co-worker, meanwhile, suffered more serious injuries, as one of his legs had to be amputated.
A separate report on G Captain said the incident happened aboard the Netherlands-registered MV Happy Buccaneer at approximately 9 a.m. last Monday.
Both men were trapped under a load spreader estimated to weigh 1.5 tons after the steel pad tipped off a stack being transferred by a crane into the cargo hold of the ship.
A Perth Now report said said wharf owner Roy Hill sent a shore rescue team to assist the men before they were transferred to Hedland Health Campus.
It also quoted the company’s statement where it explained that the ship’s master had the sole authority and jurisdiction “for activities undertaken at the ship during the time of the incident.”
The reports did not identify the Filipino.