INVESTIGATIONS into the collapse of a pedestrian overpass at Maitland will focus on the mechanics of a cherry picker that struck the walkway moments before it came crashing to the ground.
Central Hunter police are attempting to establish why the cherry picker's hydraulic lift was extended at the time of impact on Thursday.
Police said yesterday they were waiting for the results of tests conducted by RTA mechanical experts before deciding whether to take action against the driver.
Based on information provided by the RTA, the truck carrying the cherry picker was exceeding load height restrictions by at least a metre. Trucks are forbidden from carrying a load that stands at 4.3 metres above the roadway.
The Devonshire Street Bridge, which fell after being struck by the cherry picker, was constructed at the lowest allowable height for a similar structure, 5.37 metres above the ground.
The RTA is also conducting extensive testing to determine whether the bridge was structurally sound before the impact.
University of Newcastle structural engineering expert professor Robert Melchers said yesterday a substantial impact would have been needed to bring the bridge down.
Professor Melchers said similar incidents, where the entire bridge collapsed as a result of an impact, had occurred in the past, but were not common.
The bridge was taken away in four pieces on Thursday night.
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