I hope nobody was hurt or fired.

Harsh! You have to lift boom to open lid to wash out might of left it in boom control mode on his remote. Remote can tip over and maybe pin joystick. Shit happens sure it didn't damage much.    

a few precautions here may have saved him , taking time to spread the out riggers and lower feet till touching may have gave him time to save it , or switching remote to the no boom movement would have definitely saved him I know I would have wanted to fire him , but people make mistakes , guy could be a 20 year vet for all we know or a 10 day rookie , either way both may deserve a second chance.