Rescuers in Calgary take two cracks at freeing man pinned beneath crane

Emergency authorities say the crane was being driven out of a parking lot in southeast Calgary shortly before 8 a.m. today when the collision occurred. The 34-year-old pedestrian was knocked under the front dual wheels of the machine and dragged before coming to a stop.

An initial attempt to use a second crane to lift the machine and free the victim failed because the second unit was not capable of handling the massive weight.

Rescuers then brought in special air bags that can lift 40 tonnes, and the man was pulled out in a matter of minutes.

He was taken to hospital with critical life-threatening injuries to his lower body and legs, but his condition has since been upgraded.