FORT MYERS, Fla. — A construction worker was hospitalized following a crash Saturday near Southwest Florida International Airport, the Florida Highway Patrol said.
The accident occurred around 11 a.m. James Powers, 71, of Jacksonville, was traveling east in a tow truck on Terminal Access Road. Powers was driving in the inside lane and was approaching a boom crane with its arm extended over the eastbound lanes, the FHP said.
The outside eastbound lane was closed off due to construction being done on the overpass.
Powers crashed into the bottom portion of the extended crane, throwing 46-year-old operator Charles Gibbard from his protective harness into the road, according to the FHP.
The crash shut down all access roads to the RSW airport terminal for several hours, the FHP said.
Gibbard was transported to Lee Memorial Hospital with serious injuries.
FHP is investigating charges for Powers.
