A recovery operation is continuing to remove a huge crane which toppled over on a narrow Highland road.
A further two cranes and two diggers are being used to try to lift it out of the ditch on the single track back road between Kilmore and Connel near Oban. The crane, owned by Whyte Crane Hire, weighs more than 100 tonnes.
Argyll and Bute Council, responsible for the unclassified road, began the recovery operation yesterday but doubted if the road would reopen today.
The council said the operation to recover the crane was likely to cause significant damage to the road, and that they would be seeking the crane company to pay the costs of repairs.
A council spokesman said: “A large crane has been driven down this road too fast, has gone off the road and fallen over on its side.
“A recovery operation is underway to remove the crane. The crane is in a field, however, the road has been closed while the machines go in to lift the crane.”
He added that the road may not re-open today. He said: “It is a substantial operation. The crane weighs more than 100 tonnes. We require to dig pits for the plant machinery to get in to lift the crane.
“This is a substantial recovery operation and we envisage substantial damage to the carriageway.
“The council will pursue the responsible party for the costs incurred.”
Traffic is being diverted via Oban until the back road is fully operational again.
Inspector Julie McLeish of Oban police station said: “We received a report of a large crane having gone off the road at 2.30pm on Wednesday. We were at the scene directing traffic and putting a diversion in place.
“It may be a while before the road can be reopened, firstly to remove the crane, and secondly to assess if there has been any damage to the road.”
A spokeswoman for Whyte crane hire said: “The recovery is underway.”