New York City witnessed a terrifying incident on Wednesday morning as a construction crane caught fire and partially collapsed in Midtown Manhattan. The crane, located at 30 Hudson Yards, a mixed-use development, suffered a partial collapse at around 10:30 AM local time.
Authorities are urging the public to avoid the area of 10th Avenue and 11th Avenue from West 41 Street to West 42 Street. The New York City Fire Department is actively working to extinguish the fire that erupted after the collapse.
One civilian and one firefighter have been reported injured in the incident. Fortunately, there were no fatalities. The incident caused significant damage to the building under construction and the surrounding area. The cause of the collapse is still under investigation, with officials considering factors such as wind gusts, operator error, or mechanical failure.
Construction cranes are governed by strict safety regulations set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA mandates regular inspections of cranes and requires operators to be certified.
The incident has raised concerns about construction site safety and prompted questions regarding the cause of the collapse, the extent of injuries and damages, and the ongoing investigation.
As authorities continue to assess the situation and investigate the root cause, it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of adherence to safety measures and regulations in the construction industry. More updates will follow as the situation develops.
Table of Contents
About the New York crane collapse:
- What caused the crane to collapse?
- The cause of the crane collapse is still under investigation, but officials believe that it may have been caused by a gust of wind.
- How many people were injured?
- One person was injured in the collapse, but no fatalities were reported.
- What is the damage to the building?
- The crane collapse caused significant damage to the building and the surrounding area. The building was evacuated and the area was cordoned off.
- What is the investigation into the collapse?
- The investigation into the collapse is ongoing. Officials are looking into the possibility of wind gusts, operator error, or mechanical failure.
- What are the safety regulations for construction cranes?
- The safety regulations for construction cranes are set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA requires that cranes be inspected regularly and that operators be certified.
Here are the last 3 crane collapse incidents that happened in 2008, 2016, and 2012: In New York City
2008
- March 16, 2008: A construction crane collapsed in New York City, killing 7 people and injuring 10 others. The crane was located at 305 East 50th Street, near the corner of First Avenue. The collapse occurred at around 8:30 AM local time.
- The cause of the collapse was determined to be improper rigging operations. The crane was lifting a load of steel beams when the rigging failed, causing the beams to fall onto the street below.
- The collapse led to a number of safety reforms in the construction industry, including stricter regulations for crane operators and more frequent inspections of cranes.
2016
- February 5, 2016: A construction crane collapsed in Lower Manhattan, New York City, killing 1 person and injuring 2 others. The crane was located at 261 Madison Avenue, between East 26th and 27th Streets. The collapse occurred at around 1:30 PM local time.
- The cause of the collapse was determined to be a combination of factors, including wind gusts and operator error. The crane was lifting a load of steel beams when the wind gusts caused the crane to sway. The operator tried to control the crane, but he was unable to do so and the crane collapsed.
- The collapse led to a number of safety reforms in the construction industry, including stricter regulations for crane operators and more frequent inspections of cranes.
2012
- October 29, 2012: A construction crane collapsed in Manhattan, New York City, during Hurricane Sandy. The crane was located at 57 West 57th Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. The collapse occurred at around 11:00 AM local time.
- The cause of the collapse was determined to be the force of the winds from Hurricane Sandy. The crane was swaying in the winds and the operator was unable to control it. The crane eventually collapsed, hitting several buildings and cars.
- The collapse led to a number of safety reforms in the construction industry, including stricter regulations for crane operators and more frequent inspections of cranes.
