Midtown Manhattan experienced a startling construction incident yesterday afternoon when two mini cranes, known as "Spyder Cranes," collapsed onto a sidewalk shed and scaffolding. The accident occurred around 3 p.m. on Ninth Avenue between West 38th Street and 39th Street at a site of a 12-story building currently under development. As reported by ABC 7 New York, one of the cranes was being hoisted from the ninth floor to the 10th when the crane atop the building suddenly became dislodged, causing both cranes to plummet to the ground.
No injuries were fortunately reported, which FDNY Assistant Chief Mike Meyers attributed to luck, considering the location's proximity to the bustling Times Square. "We're two blocks from Times Square, where hundreds of people walk by every minute or so, and we're lucky that nobody was caught underneath that debris pile," Meyers told ABC 7 New York. Surveillance video from the scene, shared by CBS News New York, captured a family narrowly escaping the falling structure.
The Department of Buildings had previously issued a partial stop work order for a permit violation concerning one of the mini cranes, but it was rescinded the day before the accident, as per records obtained by ABC 7 New York. The incident has sparked an ongoing investigation by the city's DOB to determine the cause. In a statement to CBS News New York, the property owners, ZD Jasper Realty, expressed that they are treating the situation with "the utmost seriousness" and emphasized the "non-negotiable" safety of the site.
Neighbors and daily passersby reacted with shock and relief that the collapse had not resulted in injuries. "Scary. I walk that sidewalk, like, eight times a day. It's how I get to the grocery store every day. So I'm really glad that, you know, nobody was walking under there," Calie Greig revealed in a statement to CBS News New York. Eric Berry, a local worker, expressed his concern for a homeless individual who used to sleep under the affected structure, relieved to learn no one was harmed.
