A construction crane partially collapsed in Midtown Manhattan on Wednesday morning leading to at least one minor injury, the New York Police Department said.
The crane collapsed around 7:30 a.m., and it was unclear whether it was occupied at the time, Officer Antonio Antenucci said. Traffic was closed around 10th and 11th Avenues between 41st and 42nd Streets, near Hudson Yards.
Photos and video on social media showed the car of the crane on fire before the arm collapsed, slamming into an adjacent building as it fell.
People on the corner of 40th Street and 8th Avenue could be seen staring up and taking photos, and as each passer-by turned their head, a small crowd formed to watch and take photos.
Jordy Jimenez was washing down the sidewalks outside 33 West 42nd Street when he heard the crash. “It was a loud, loud crash,” he said, adding that it was not a typical city noise.
In February 2016, a crane collapsed in Lower Manhattan after the crew failed to securely lower it during wind gusts that neared 20 miles per hour and falling snow. A pedestrian was killed, and three other people were injured. The large crane had the capacity to carry 330 tons and was rated to withstand 25 m.p.h. winds.
Jennie Coughlin, Lola Fadulu and Judy Tong contributed reporting.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
