The incident
On 21 May 2019, a general cargo vessel arrived in Seville, Spain and berthed port side alongside Muelle del V Centenario. Vessel visited port to load a cargo of cement, which commenced during morning of 23 May. As explained, during cargo operations, second officer had been working at the aft end of main deck and was attempting to pass between hatch covers and stationary crane. As second officer climbed onto hatch coaming, vessel’s chief officer drove crane aft, trapping and crushing second officer against the hatch covers. Unseen by crane operator, he was crushed when crane moved, closing the gap. In light of situation, chief officer immediately reversed crane and second officer fell onto deck, where he received first-aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation from deck crew and shore paramedics. Following there, an emergency services doctor, who was informed of incident, told crew that second officer probably died after having a heart attack.
