Worker killed after crane collapses at KC-area power plant

WESTON, Mo. (AP) -- One worker was killed and three others were injured after a crane collapsed at a construction site next to the Kansas City Power & Light's Iatan power plant near Weston in Platte County.

KCPL spokeswoman Matt Tidwell said the victims were contractors with one of several construction companies working on a new coal-fired plant at the site. No identities were released and the conditions of the injured workers was not known.

Tidwell said there were about 300 contractors on site, but wasn't sure which company the injured workers were employed by.

The crane collapsed around 7:30 a.m., tipping over on its side and crumpling alongside the construction site. Investigators were on the scene to determine why the crane collapsed.

The Iatan power plant remained open, but the construction site was shut down following the accident.

The plant is just off Missouri 45 highway near Snow Creek, about 30 miles northwest of Kansas City near the Missouri River.

Two workers also were killed at the plant on May 9, 2007, when a 3-inch high-pressure water line ruptured. Two others also were burned when water in the pipe flashed to steam.