NEW YORK—Authorities say a steel beam being hoisted at a New York City construction site fell after a cable apparently snapped, killing a crane operator and a co-worker.
The beam was being lifted when it came loose Tuesday afternoon in the Briarwood neighborhood of Queens.
Department of Buildings Commissioner Rick Chandler told WABC-TV the 6,500-pound beam fell from the fourth floor onto the crane, crushing the workers. He says rigging rope may have failed.
NEW PHOTOS: Beam falls on crane in Queens, killing 2 operators, FDNY says https://t.co/zmr1VJePmF @Gus4NY pic.twitter.com/SRqaac8QbG
— NBC New York (@NBCNewYork) November 22, 2016
The cause of the accident is still being investigated, but Chandler said wind does not appear to be a factor.
Chandler said the crane was last inspected in June.
Police identified the male victims as a 43-year-old and a 47-year-old. They were pronounced dead at the scene.
A residential building is going up at the site.
