CALIFORNIA IN BRIEF : SAN FRANCISCO : Forklift Falls, Kills Operator

An equipment operator was killed when his forklift tumbled to the ground from the second floor of United Airlines’ maintenance terminal at San Francisco International Airport, officials said. The dead man’s name was not immediately released. He was crushed by the forklift and died instantly, airport spokesman Ron Wilson said. Wilson said a crane lifted some heavy aircraft engine testing components from ground level to a second floor opening in the maintenance building, where the forklift was perched to assist in maneuvering the equipment. The equipment was slung to the forklift. But a sudden gust of wind caused the equipment to sway, and the forklift was yanked out of the building and crashed to the ground.