MIDTOWN, Manhattan (PIX11) — A construction accident sent two small cranes crashing down onto a sidewalk shed in Midtown Friday.
The incident is raising new concerns about safety at the site located at 501 9th Avenue.
Jerry was in the area at the time of the incident and recalled the moment he heard the impact.
“It was just one big boom,” he said. “It was just like boom boom boom boom boom.”
The FDNY tells PIX11 News it happened just after 3 pm as crews were working on a 12-story building that is currently under construction. Fire Chief Mike Meyers said it’s fortunate that no one was injured in what could have been a far more serious incident.
“It’s an incredibly lucky day,” said Meyers. “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.”
According to the New York City Department of Buildings, a mini crane on the roof was attempting to hoist another mini crane from the 9th floor to the 10th floor when it dislodged. Both cranes fell, slamming into the sidewalk shed below and causing it to collapse.
“It’s a scary thing,” said Bill Yago, who reacted to the incident. “You would think that there was better inspections or something going on that somebody’s paying attention to it.”
This is not the first safety concern at the construction site. The DOB’s database shows 28 complaints on the building since last May. Last week, the DOB issued a complaint on the building for failing to follow proper safety measures. A partial stop work order was issued at the site on March 27th, but the property owner resolved the issue, and that order was rescinded on Thursday.
Another complaint, filed Friday in the wake of the collapse, notes that the hoisting operation appeared to be unsafe. The developer behind the project has not yet responded to PIX11’s request for comment.
Meanwhile, the collapse has left some New Yorkers on edge.
“It certainly makes me think twice about walking underneath a construction area, that’s for sure.”
City officials say the investigation into the incident remains ongoing.
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