Lee County Commissioners today honored the crane operator who died in April during a construction accident on the Sanibel Causeway. Crane operator Kent Cra-pelle was driving a concrete piling near the Sanibel Causeway’s drawbridge and tollbooth plaza when the crane collapsed—killing him and injuring another. Lee County Commissioners passed a resolution in Crapelle’s honor.

“The failure of the concrete pile made the crane unstable. Mr. Cra-pelle displayed the presence of mind, quick thinking and proficiency with the crane to warn his co-workers by blowing an air horn and steer the falling concrete pile and crane in a way to minimize the danger to nearby motorists and bridge construction workers. Only one person other than Mr. Crappell suffered injuries due to that accident. And whereas in performing this selfless act, Mr. Crappell sacrificed his own life as he was thrown from the crane’s cab.”

Crapell is being honored during National Public Works week. The county also presented his family with a plaque. It resembles a bronze one to be placed on the new Sanibel Bridge in his honor. In addition, the Sanibel-Captiva Trust Company gave his widow money being collected in Crapell’s honor. A Sanibel Island resident started the collection.