Two Cranes Collapse Onto Scaffolding in Midtown Manhattan

Midtown Manhattan Crane Collapse

• 🏗️ Two small cranes unexpectedly toppled onto scaffolding outside a building in Midtown Manhattan.
• 💥 The incident occurred around 3 p.m. on 9th Avenue and 38th Street, a location described as a vacant building under construction.
• 🚨 Surveillance video captured a family narrowly escaping injury as a steel beam and scaffolding fell onto the street.

Initial Reports and Safety Concerns

• ⚠️ FDNY officials stated that the cranes appeared to be a spider crane on the roof lifting a second crane when the collapse happened.
• 🌳 The falling cranes damaged the scaffolding and a tree on the sidewalk.
• 📄 The Department of Buildings had issued a complaint about safety measure non-compliance approximately one week prior.
• ✅ A stop-work order was rescinded the day before the incident after the property owner reportedly resolved the issue.

Witness Accounts and Investigation

• 👂 Witnesses described a loud, prolonged rattling metal noise followed by a significant impact and the sight of the scaffolding and tree falling.
• 🗣️ The property owner has launched an internal investigation and is cooperating with authorities.
• 🔍 FDNY and the Buildings Department are on the scene investigating the cause of the collapse.
• 🚧 As of Friday afternoon, 9th Avenue between 37th and 42nd Streets was closed due to the incident.