Runaway excavator with no one at controls flattens camper, crashes into Connecticut home

Unmanned excavator crashes into Conn. home

NORTH BRANFORD, Conn. — Police in Connecticut said an unmanned, runaway excavator demolished a shed, knocked over trees, flattened a pop-up camper and smashed into a house. Charles Bystrack said he was drinking a cup of coffee Thursday morning when his house in North Branford began to shake. When he looked out his window, he said he saw the construction vehicle sticking out of his garage.

Police said it appears a crew working in a neighboring field turned on the excavator to warm it up, but its movable windshield fell in and hit the controls. Bystrack estimates it traveled about 60 yards at walking speed.

Police said no charges are expected.

The accident damaged the home’s garage and foundation, and cracked some walls inside the house. No one was injured.