Major crane collapse in New York City: 1 dead, several injured

Michael Walsh
·Reporter
CLICK IMAGE for slideshow: Emergency crews survey a massive construction crane collapse on a street in downtown Manhattan in New York, February 5, 2016. The accident killed at least one person and seriously injuring two others, a spokesman for the New York City Fire Department said. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
CLICK IMAGE for slideshow: Emergency crews survey a massive construction crane collapse on a street in downtown Manhattan in New York, February 5, 2016. The accident killed at least one person and seriously injuring two others, a spokesman for the New York City Fire Department said. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

A massive construction crane killed at least one person when it collapsed in New York City amid falling snow Friday morning.

The crane reportedly toppled over at around 8:30 a.m. at Worth St. and West Broadway in the lower Manhattan neighborhood of Tribeca. It crushed a row of parked cars and slammed against buildings — strewing shattered bricks and debris into the street.

SLIDESHOW – Major crane collapse in New York City >>>

The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) confirmed that one person was dead on arrival and that at least two others were seriously injured.

Bay Crane, a family-operated crane rental company based out of Long Island City, owns the equipment that fell over.

When contacted by Yahoo News, a representative from the company declined to discuss the matter at this time.

“No comment. This incident is still under investigation,” he said over the phone.

Bay Crane’s mission statement characterizes the company as having a “reputation for excellence” and the know-how to deal with New York regulations.

“Our focus and our mission is to meet the needs of the congested and highly regulated New York market,” it reads.

Last year, the company was involved in a similar incident when an industrial air conditioner fell nearly 30 stories to the ground while being transported by another one of its cranes.

Emergency workers converge at the scene of a collapsed crane in a roadway in lower Manhattan Friday morning on February 5, 2016 in New York City. The accident killed at least one person and seriously injured two according to the New York City Fire Department. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Emergency workers converge at the scene of a collapsed crane in a roadway in lower Manhattan Friday morning on February 5, 2016 in New York City. The accident killed at least one person and seriously injured two according to the New York City Fire Department. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Crane collapse in Manhattan, New York City on Feb. 5, 2016. The FDNY tweeted, on scene of crane collapse at 40 Worth St & W Bdwy in Manhattan. 1 patient confirmed DOA, 2 serious. (FDNY via Twitter)
Crane collapse in Manhattan, New York City on Feb. 5, 2016. The FDNY tweeted, on scene of crane collapse at 40 Worth St & W Bdwy in Manhattan. 1 patient confirmed DOA, 2 serious. (FDNY via Twitter)

Mirian, a waitress at the nearby Square Diner on Leonard St., described this morning’s scene as hectic when reached by Yahoo News.

“It’s a lot of fire trucks, a lot of police,” she said. “A couple of families came to the diner to get away. Cops told them to stay away from the street.”

Emergency crews rushed to the scene and searched the automobiles for anyone trapped inside. Authorities blocked the area with yellow emergency tape. Several neighboring streets have been closed off to traffic.

It was not immediately clear what caused the crane to collapse.

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