NEW YORK---One person died and two others were seriously injured when a crane collapsed in Lower Manhattan, smashing the roofs of parked cars as it crashed onto the street, authorities said.
The collapsed red metal lattice landed across an intersection and stretched across two blocks after the accident, which occurred around 8:25 a.m. on Feb. 5, in the Tribeca neighborhood, about 10 blocks north of the World Trade Center. There was damage on the roof of a nearby building and debris littered the street.
Caught on camera: Horrifying Manhattan crane collapse caught on camerahttps://t.co/l4u42kxk0G
— NBC News (@NBCNews) February 5, 2016
A police officer at the scene said there was a possible gas leak as gas smell was in the air. A Con Edison utilities company crew was at the scene digging for the gas leak, according to the officer. Another police officer at the scene confirmed the suspicion of a gas leak. The press was denied entry to the immediate vicinity of the crane.
The huge crane lay stretched out along Worth St., beginning half way between Hudson St. and W Broadway, and ending almost at Church St. The tank-like undercarriage of the crane was flipped upside down at the west end of the crane close to the Hudson St. intersection.
#FDNY operating on scene of crane collapse at 40 Worth St & W Bdwy in Manhattan. 1 fatality confirmed, 2 serious pic.twitter.com/6aUjhB7J4o
— FDNY (@FDNY) February 5, 2016
#FDNY operating on scene of crane collapse at 40 Worth St & W Bdwy in Manhattan. 1 fatality confirmed, 2 serious pic.twitter.com/XrOg0zoxOI
— FDNY (@FDNY) February 5, 2016
The crane was being moved into a secure position because winds were approaching 25 MPH, the Mayor’s Press Office stated. “Out of an abundance of caution, the City is instructing all 376 crawler cranes and 53 tower cranes to be secured immediately. The crane is owned by Bay Crane and operated by Galasso Trucking and Rigging Inc,” the office stated. “The crane began operations in the area on January 30, 2016 on 60 Hudson Street to replace generators and air conditioners on the building roof. The crane was inspected at 6:20 AM yesterday by the Department of Buildings in preparation for its next phase of work and found to be in full compliance.”
#FDNY on scene of crane collapse at 40 Worth St & W Bdwy in Manhattan. 1 patient confirmed DOA, 2 serious pic.twitter.com/NLGhUGgTgI
— FDNY (@FDNY) February 5, 2016
FDNY:
- FDNY deployed over 140 firefighters and EMS personnel from over 40 units to the site.
- FDNY reports searches of the crane are complete and no further victims found.
- FDNY continues to search the buildings.
- The patient count is four: one minor injury, one moderate injury, one serious injury, and one fatality.
Department Of Buildings:
- A full DOB investigation is underway.
- The addresses impacted are 47--55 Worth Street.
- DOB reports there is no structural damage to any of the impacted buildings.
Department of Environmental Protection:
- A 12 inch water main in the area of the crane has been shut down to stop a leak. DEP’s early estimate is 100 people without water service.
MTA:
Due to a crane collapse on the street level of Worth St and Hudson St, the following service changes were put in effect:
- 1 Subway trains are bypassing Chambers St and Franklin St in both directions.
- 2 Subway and 3 Subway trains are bypassing Chambers St in both directions.
- Allow additional travel time.
Con Ed:
- Per Con Ed Emergency Management, Con Ed Electric and Gas are assessing their equipment in the area.
- All gas service along Worth Street between West Broadway and Church has been turned off.
Department Of Transportation:
The following roads were closed to vehicular traffic:
- Southbound West Broadway from Canal Street.
- Both directions on Worth Street from Church Street to Hudson Street.
Associated Press contributed to this report.
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