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First Anniversary of Fatal Midtown Crane Collapse
By
Jen Chung
Published Mar 15, 2009
Modified Mar 15, 2009
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By
Jen Chung
Published Mar 15, 2009
Modified Mar 15, 2009
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A year ago, a Midtown condo construction site's crane fell into neighboring buildings on East 50th Street near 2nd Avenue. Aside from damaging neighboring buildings and leveling a townhouse, seven people—six construction workers and one woman in the townhouse—were killed. Neighbors had complained about the construction, but the incident further forced the Department of Buildings to monitor cranes more carefully (another crane killed two just two months later). Last week, the DOB released findings from its investigation: Ultimately, four synthetic slings—including one that had prior physical damage—used to support a 11,279-pound steel collar (eight slings are usually used) were blamed, from how they were placed to how there was no padding to protect the slings from sharp edges. Earlier this year, the Manhattan DA's office charged the crane rigger with manslaughter.
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crane
crane collapse
department of buildings
midtown east
sling
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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