hat-rick of direct hits.

The large crane, marked "Oversize Load,'' proved more than a match for any obstacle in its way.

CRASH! The massive boom smashed into a steel gate post.

BANG! It shattered the window of a parked car.

WALLOP! Down went a wall at a photography shop.

Twenty-six-year-old driver Mr. Barclay Robinson's tale of woe started shortly after 9 a.m.

As he was manoeuvring out of Globe Forwarding the boom smacked into a steel post in St. John's Road, causing it to buckle.

Minutes later the vehicle lumbered into Park Road, halting outside the Belco plant.

First the boom swung left, smashing the driver's window of Mr. Bill Pitman's smart white Mazda, which was knocked on to the pavement.

Then it swung right, demolishing a two-foot wall outside Quality Color photography shop.

The trail of mishaps, which caused around $5,000 damage, left the "victims'' surprisingly stoic.

A spokesman for Globe Forwarding said: "The post was bent back, but has now been straightened.

"The crane parks in our yard. It seems there was some misjudgment as it came out.'' An employee at Quality Color, who did not wish to be named, said: "All I heard was a bang. I was too busy in here to see what happened.'' The crane belongs to Swan Bros Garage & Mobile Welding Services Ltd, Hermitage Road, Devonshire.

Managing Director Mr. Van Swan said the vehicle had gone to lift a 15.6 ton Belco transformer when the series of "blips'' occurred.

Strongly defending his driver, he declared: "Mr. Robinson is a very good operator.'' Mr. Swan said the crane had difficulties in the Globe Forwarding yard because of containers parked against it.

"Cones were also set up in Park Road to stop people parking where the crane wanted to manoeuvre.

"We ask people not to park, but they ignore us.'' TRAIL OF WOE -- The scene in Park Road after the crane's boom shattered a car window and knocked down a wall.