Authorities say a steel beam being hoisted at a New York City construction site fell after a cable apparently snapped, killing a crane operator and a co-worker.
The beam was being lifted when it came loose Tuesday afternoon in the Briarwood neighborhood of Queens.
Department of Buildings Commissioner Rick Chandler told WABC-TV the 6,500-pound beam fell from the fourth floor onto the crane, crushing the workers. He says rigging rope may have failed.
The cause of the accident is still being investigated, but Chandler said wind does not appear to be a factor.
Chandler said the crane was last inspected in June.
Police identified the victims as 47-year-old crane operator George Smith, of Brooklyn, and 43-year-old Alessandro Ramos, of Queens.
A residential building is going up at the site.
Related:
- Insurance Industry Sees Challenges with New York City Crawler Crane Requirements
- OSHA, State Probe New York’s Latest Crane Collapse
Topics New York
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