New York City crane collapse – live: 12 injured after 16 tonnes of concrete rains down on Manhattan
Follow updates on the fire and collapse of a construction crane in Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A construction crane caught fire and partially collapsed in the heart of Manhattan on Wednesday morning, sending commuters fleeing for their lives as rubble rained down onto the streets below.
The fire broke out at around 7.30am ET on a crane on a building under construction along W 41st St and 10th Avenue, close to Hudson Yards.
Bystander footage showed the top of the crane alight before it suddenly collapsed, crashing into a building opposite where it appeared to smash several windows. New Yorkers in the streets below were seen running away from the carnage.
Two construction workers told The Indepednent about the “terrifying” moment the building they were working in was suddenly struck by the crane.
“We’re walking down the stairs and that’s when you hear the boom, boom, boom,” Alexander, a construction worker who only wished to be identified by his first name, told The Independent.
Twelve people – nine civilians and three firefighters – were injured in the collapse, the FDNY told CNN.
All suffered non-life threatening injuries while one of the firefighters suffered chest pains.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams said that it was “extremely lucky” more people weren’t hurt.
It wasn’t until the men were in the stairwell with others that the arm of the crane fell and smashed into the side of the building, causing the structure to tremble.
Mr Osborne said: “I was walking down the stairs and the building is rumbling, you’ve got people behind you who could trip, fall – it got a little scary.”
Photos and videos from the ground showed the crane, situated 45 stories above ground, on fire and then partially collapsing. Authorities said the crane operator was using it to lift 16 tonnes of concrete when the flames began.
Though the crane operator tried to extinguish the fire, he was unsuccessful and the flames caused the cable to snap sending the arm of the crane to the street.
One bystander, named Tyra Robbings, told The New York Times she “couldn’t believe” what she was seeing when the crane fell Wednesday morning.
“It was like it fell in slow motion,” Ms Robbins.
In videos shared to X, formerly known as Twitter, and Instagram, those filming the scary scene gasped at the sight of it.
While people watched in awe from afar, inside the building, Mr Osborne and Alexander said panic ensued.
“This guy, I see him fall head-down feet-up down the stairs when the rumbling happened and people start trampling over him,” Alexander recounted.
He added: “I saw that happen and I’m like ‘I can’t trample this dude because if we all die here today and that’s the last thing I do, that’s not how – the last thing I do is step over my brother and not even help him.’”
Alexander said his heart was beating out of his chest while he waited for the fallen man to get up and continue making his way down the stairs.
Mr Osborne said he was “shaking”.
Luckily, all of the construction workers made it out of the building safely with no major injuries.
Following the scary incident, Mayor Eric Adams said only four civilians and two firefighters were minorly injured.
“This could have been much worse,” Mr Adams said emphasising that the concrete spread over such a large area when it hit the ground.
200 firefighters called to scene
More than 200 firefighters responded to the scene of the crane collapse with crews stationed on the roof deck of a neighbouring building to use hoses to put out the flames.
The blaze was brought under control by 11.45am according to the Fire Department of New York City.
Mayor Eric Adams noted that a review of the building found “all documentations were in order” for construction but the Department of Buildings will conduct a full assessment to determine what happened.
Video shows crane crashing into Manhattan skyscraper after catching fire
This terrifying footage shows a large construction crane on fire in Manhattan. The arm of the crane hits a building as it crashes into the street below. Videos posted across social media show flames bursting from the crane above 10th Avenue on 41st street. The crane’s arm scraped the top floors of a skyscraper across the street as it fell, shortly before 8am New York time. There are no immediate reports of any injuries. Emergency services are at the scene.
Recap: At least six injured after New York City construction crane partially collapses
A construction crane sitting 45 stories atop a building in the Hell’s Kitchen neighbourhood of New York City caught fire and partially collapsed on Wednesday morning.
Around 7.30am, a fire broke out on the arm of a crane located on a building under construction near Tenth Avenue and West 41st Street.
Photos and videos taken from the incident showed the crane ablaze for several moments with dark, thick smoke billowing from it.
Officials said the operator was using the crane to lift 16 tonnes of concrete when he saw the blaze and tried to extinguish it.
Read more...
At least six injured after NYC construction crane partially collapses during fire
Part of construction crane sitting atop Manhattan high-rise fell onto a nearby building on Wednesday
Not the first crane accident for city, or equipment owner
The crane is owned by the New York Crane & Equipment Corp., one of the city’s most widely used crane providers, officials said. The Queens-based company has been involved in other crane problems in recent years, leading to criminal charges and new safety measures around New York City’s crane operations.
The company did not respond to a request for comment.
In May of 2008, a collapse of the company’s tower crane killed two workers on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. The company and its owner, James Lomma, were acquitted of manslaughter and other charges; a mechanic pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide.
It was one of two deadly crane accidents in 2008, leading to the resignation of the city’s buildings commissioner, as well as new safety measures around testing and oversight of crane operations.
Five years later, a crane owned by the company left a concrete cube dangling above a bustling pedestrian area for several hours, shutting down a major thoroughfare in Midtown Manhattan.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments