New York City crane collapse – live: 12 injured after 16 tonnes of concrete rains down on Manhattan

A construction crane caught fire and partially collapsed in the heart of Manhattan on Wednesday morning, sending commuters fleeing for their lives as rubble rained down onto the streets below.

The fire broke out at around 7.30am ET on a crane on a building under construction along W 41st St and 10th Avenue, close to Hudson Yards.

Bystander footage showed the top of the crane alight before it suddenly collapsed, crashing into a building opposite where it appeared to smash several windows. New Yorkers in the streets below were seen running away from the carnage.

Two construction workers told The Indepednent about the “terrifying” moment the building they were working in was suddenly struck by the crane.

“We’re walking down the stairs and that’s when you hear the boom, boom, boom,” Alexander, a construction worker who only wished to be identified by his first name, told The Independent.

Twelve people – nine civilians and three firefighters – were injured in the collapse, the FDNY told CNN.

All suffered non-life threatening injuries while one of the firefighters suffered chest pains.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams said that it was “extremely lucky” more people weren’t hurt.

Key points

• Construction crane catches fire and collapses in Manhattan

• Terrifying footage captures moment of collapse

• FDNY responds to scene if collapse

• Two injured in the incident

• Area in Hell’s Kitchen evacuated

Welcome to The Independent’s liveblog

Wednesday 26 July 2023 13:55 , Rachel Sharp

Follow updates on the fire and collapse of a construction crane in Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan

BREAKING NEWS: New York City construction crane catches fire and partially collapses on top of Manhattan high-rise

Wednesday 26 July 2023 13:56 , Rachel Sharp

A construction crane mounted above a building in the Hell’s Kitchen neighbourhood of New York City caught fire and partially collapsed on Wednesday morning.

Photos and videos taken from the incident show the crane ablaze for several moments before a large portion of it fell into the building next to it.

As it fell people standing beneath the construction crane could be seen running as fragments flew through the air.

Read more here:

Construction crane catches fire and partially collapses on Manhattan high-rise

What we know so far:

Wednesday 26 July 2023 13:58 , Rachel Sharp

A construction crane caught fire and partially collapsed in the heart of Manhattan on Wednesday morning, sending commuters fleeing for their lives as rubble rained down onto the streets below.

The fire broke out at around 7.30am ET on a crane on a building under construction along W 41st St and 10th Avenue, close to Hudson Yards.

Terrifying bystander footage showed the top of the crane alight before it suddenly collapsed, falling into a building opposite where it appeared to smash several windows.

New Yorkers in the streets below were seen running away from the carnage.

Two victims suffered minor injuries from the collapse.

The area around the incident has now been evacuated as firefighters work to tackle the blaze, shooting water jets from other high rise buildings.

WATCH: Crane catches on fire and collapses in Manhattan

Wednesday 26 July 2023 14:10 , Rachel Sharp

FDNY responds to crane collapse

Wednesday 26 July 2023 14:20 , Rachel Sharp

“FDNY units are currently operating at a crane collapse and fire at 550 Tenth Avenue in Manhattan,” the FDNY tweeted along with footage of the aftermath.

NYPD urges people to avoid area

Wednesday 26 July 2023 14:30 , Rachel Sharp

The NYPD has urged the general public to avoid the area around the crane collapse.

“ADVISORY: Due to a crane collapse, please avoid the area of 10th Avenue and 11th Avenue from West 41 Street to West 42 Street. Please use alternate routes and expect traffic in the area,” the department tweeted.

New York officials give press conference on crane collapse

Wednesday 26 July 2023 14:31 , Rachel Sharp

New York officials including Mayor Eric Adams are holding a press conference on the crane collapse.

Authorities said that the crane caught fire at around 7.25am as it was working on a mixed use building currently under construction aty the corner of 10th Av and 41st Street.

The fire heated and weakened the cable holding the load of the crane, causing about 16 tonnes of concrete and the arm of the crane to go crashing down onto the avenue.

Five people injured in collapse

Wednesday 26 July 2023 14:36 , Rachel Sharp

Five people were injured in the incident, officials confirmed.

Four civilians sustained minor injuries while one firefighter was wounded as they responded to the scene.

The identities of the victims are unknown at this time.

It is unclear whether they were injured as a result of the falling debris.

Where did the crane hit?

Wednesday 26 July 2023 14:40 , Rachel Sharp

New York officials gave this update on the location of the crane collapse.

The building under construction: 550 10th Avenue.

The building hit by the crane: 555 10th Avenue.

How the collapse unfolded:

Wednesday 26 July 2023 14:45 , Rachel Sharp

Officials said that the incident unfolded at around 7.30am ET on Wednesday morning.

A crane operator was operating the construction crane at a mixed use building under construction.

The crane was being used to lift around 16 tonnes of concrete when the operator saw the fire and tried to extinguish it.

Officials said that the operator got overwhelmed by the blaze.

Shocking photos show debris in Manhattan road

Wednesday 26 July 2023 14:55 , Rachel Sharp

Mayor Eric Adams: ‘Extremely lucky’ more weren’t injured

Wednesday 26 July 2023 15:05 , Rachel Sharp

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has said that it was “extremely lucky” that more people weren’t injured in the crane collapse.

Four civilians and one firefighter suffered minor injuries in the incident on Wednesday morning when the crane caught fire and collapsed, sending 16 tonnes of concrete and parts of the crane tumbling to the ground.

The mayor said it was “extremely lucky there weren’t more injuries given the concrete spread over such a large area when it hit the ground”.

The incident took place during a busy time when a lot of New Yorkers will have been commuting to work.

WATCH: Aftermath of the crane collapse

Wednesday 26 July 2023 15:20 , Rachel Sharp

WATCH: NYC Mayor Eric Adams says its ‘fortunate’ only four civilians were injured in crane collapse

Wednesday 26 July 2023 15:40 , Rachel Sharp

Wednesday 26 July 2023 16:05 , Oliver O'Connell

Video shows crane crashing into Manhattan skyscraper after catching fire

Flashback: 2016 crane collapse kills one in Tribeca

Wednesday 26 July 2023 16:35 , Oliver O'Connell

In 2016, one person was killed and three people were seriously injured after a crane collapsed in Lower Manhattan. The crane collapsed on several parked cars, crushing their roofs.

Videos and pictures from the scene showed the large metal frame splayed across the street, and initial reports suggested people are trapped in cars.

The crane spanned the entire length of at least one block when it fell to the ground in Worth Street, TriBeCa.

Here’s our report from the time:

New York crane collapse: Construction accident in lower Manhattan leaves one dead, three injured

FDNY units remain on scene of a crane collapse

Wednesday 26 July 2023 16:46 , Oliver O'Connell

Wednesday 26 July 2023 17:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Crane on barge crashes and splinters iconic Brooklyn Bridge

Earlier: Parking garage collapse in lower Manhattan leaves one dead

Wednesday 26 July 2023 17:30 , Oliver O'Connell

In April, a parking garage collapsed in lower Manhattan, killing one and leaving others injured and potentially trapped under the rubble.

Emergency responders were called to a parking garage near Nassau Street in the Financial District on 19 April just after 4pm.

One person died in the collapse, according to Mayor Eric Adams, who held a press conference near the site.

Graig Graziosi filed this report.

Parking garage collapse leaves one dead in lower Manhattan

New York partly shuttered four parking garages after deadly collapse

Wednesday 26 July 2023 18:00 , Oliver O'Connell

After the deadly collapse of a parking structure in lower Manhattan, New York City building officials swept through dozens of parking garages and ordered four of them to immediately shutter because of structural issues that “deteriorated to the point where they were now posing an immediate threat to public safety.”

Read on...

NYC partly shutters 4 parking garages after deadly collapse

Witnesses share terror watching and hearing construction crane collapse

Wednesday 26 July 2023 18:20 , Oliver O'Connell

“Terrifying.”

It was the only word that two New York City construction workers said came to mind when the building they were working in was suddenly struck by a partially collapsed crane on Wednesday.

Ariana Baio filed this report from the scene in Hell’s Kitchen on the westside of Manhattan, shortly after the incident this morning.

Witnesses share terror watching and hearing construction crane collapse in NYC

Recap: At least six injured after New York City construction crane partially collapses during fire

Wednesday 26 July 2023 18:50 , Oliver O'Connell

A construction crane sitting 45 stories atop a building in the Hell’s Kitchen neighbourhood of New York City caught fire and partially collapsed on Wednesday morning.

Around 7.30am, a fire broke out on the arm of a crane located on a building under construction near Tenth Avenue and West 41st Street.

Photos and videos taken from the incident showed the crane ablaze for several moments with dark, thick smoke billowing from it.

Kelly Rissman and Ariana Baio report from the scene on the westside of Manhattan.

At least six injured after NYC construction crane partially collapses during fire

Wednesday 26 July 2023 19:20 , Oliver O'Connell

Video shows crane crashing into Manhattan skyscraper after catching fire

200 firefighters called to scene

Wednesday 26 July 2023 19:36 , Oliver O'Connell

More than 200 firefighters responded to the scene of the crane collapse with crews stationed on the roof deck of a neighbouring building to use hoses to put out the flames.

The blaze was brought under control by 11.45am according to the Fire Department of New York City.

Mayor Eric Adams noted that a review of the building found “all documentations were in order” for construction but the Department of Buildings will conduct a full assessment to determine what happened.

Wednesday 26 July 2023 20:20 , Oliver O'Connell

Streets still closed around site of incident

Wednesday 26 July 2023 20:47 , Oliver O'Connell

The New York City Police Department has advised the following streets are still closed after this morning’s crane fire and collapse.

10 Avenue - CLOSED between West 39 Street- West 42 Street

West 40 Street- CLOSED in both diections between Dyre Ave- Galvin Ave

West 41 Street- CLOSED in both directions bewteen Dyre Ave- 11 Ave

West 42 Street- OPEN in both directions

West 39 Street- OPEN only in W/B direction between 9 Avenue - 11 Avenue

Not the first crane accident for city, or equipment owner

Wednesday 26 July 2023 21:45 , Oliver O'Connell

The crane is owned by the New York Crane & Equipment Corp., one of the city’s most widely used crane providers, officials said. The Queens-based company has been involved in other crane problems in recent years, leading to criminal charges and new safety measures around New York City’s crane operations.

The company did not respond to a request for comment.

In May of 2008, a collapse of the company’s tower crane killed two workers on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. The company and its owner, James Lomma, were acquitted of manslaughter and other charges; a mechanic pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide.

It was one of two deadly crane accidents in 2008, leading to the resignation of the city’s buildings commissioner, as well as new safety measures around testing and oversight of crane operations.

Five years later, a crane owned by the company left a concrete cube dangling above a bustling pedestrian area for several hours, shutting down a major thoroughfare in Midtown Manhattan.

Witnesses share terror watching and hearing construction crane collapse

Wednesday 26 July 2023 22:00 , Oliver O'Connell

“Terrifying.”

It was the only word that two New York City construction workers said came to mind when the building they were working in was suddenly struck by a partially collapsed crane on Wednesday.

Ariana Baio filed this report from the scene in Hell’s Kitchen on the westside of Manhattan, shortly after the incident this morning.

Witnesses share terror watching and hearing construction crane collapse in NYC

Watch: New York City District 3 Council Member Eric Bottcher gives update from site

Wednesday 26 July 2023 22:04 , Oliver O'Connell

Wednesday 26 July 2023 22:30 , Ariana Baio

“We’re walking down the stairs and that’s when you hear the boom, boom, boom,” Alexander, a construction worker who only wished to be identified by his first name, told The Independent.

“My heart is beating out of my chest because after that rumbling I’m like ‘this building is going to come down,’” Alexander said.

Alexander was working on the 12th floor of the under-construction building at 550 10th Avenue when a nearby crane caught fire and partially collapsed.

Jahsaan Osborne, who was working approximately two floors above Alexander, said they began evacuations when someone said the crane caught fire.

Wednesday 26 July 2023 22:45 , Ariana Baio

It wasn’t until the men were in the stairwell with others that the arm of the crane fell and smashed into the side of the building, causing the structure to tremble.

Mr Osborne said: “I was walking down the stairs and the building is rumbling, you’ve got people behind you who could trip, fall – it got a little scary.”

Wednesday 26 July 2023 23:45 , Ariana Baio

Photos and videos from the ground showed the crane, situated 45 stories above ground, on fire and then partially collapsing. Authorities said the crane operator was using it to lift 16 tonnes of concrete when the flames began.

Though the crane operator tried to extinguish the fire, he was unsuccessful and the flames caused the cable to snap sending the arm of the crane to the street.

One bystander, named Tyra Robbings, told The New York Times she “couldn’t believe” what she was seeing when the crane fell Wednesday morning.

“It was like it fell in slow motion,” Ms Robbins.

Thursday 27 July 2023 00:45 , Oliver O'Connell

01:45 , Ariana Baio

In videos shared to X, formerly known as Twitter, and Instagram, those filming the scary scene gasped at the sight of it.

While people watched in awe from afar, inside the building, Mr Osborne and Alexander said panic ensued.

“This guy, I see him fall head-down feet-up down the stairs when the rumbling happened and people start trampling over him,” Alexander recounted.

He added: “I saw that happen and I’m like ‘I can’t trample this dude because if we all die here today and that’s the last thing I do, that’s not how – the last thing I do is step over my brother and not even help him.’”

Alexander said his heart was beating out of his chest while he waited for the fallen man to get up and continue making his way down the stairs.

Mr Osborne said he was “shaking”.

02:45 , Oliver O'Connell

03:45 , Ariana Baio

Luckily, all of the construction workers made it out of the building safely with no major injuries.

Following the scary incident, Mayor Eric Adams said only four civilians and two firefighters were minorly injured.

“This could have been much worse,” Mr Adams said emphasising that the concrete spread over such a large area when it hit the ground.

200 firefighters called to scene

04:45 , Oliver O'Connell

More than 200 firefighters responded to the scene of the crane collapse with crews stationed on the roof deck of a neighbouring building to use hoses to put out the flames.

The blaze was brought under control by 11.45am according to the Fire Department of New York City.

Mayor Eric Adams noted that a review of the building found “all documentations were in order” for construction but the Department of Buildings will conduct a full assessment to determine what happened.

06:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Video shows crane crashing into Manhattan skyscraper after catching fire

Recap: At least six injured after New York City construction crane partially collapses

08:44 , Oliver O'Connell

A construction crane sitting 45 stories atop a building in the Hell’s Kitchen neighbourhood of New York City caught fire and partially collapsed on Wednesday morning.

Around 7.30am, a fire broke out on the arm of a crane located on a building under construction near Tenth Avenue and West 41st Street.

Photos and videos taken from the incident showed the crane ablaze for several moments with dark, thick smoke billowing from it.

Officials said the operator was using the crane to lift 16 tonnes of concrete when he saw the blaze and tried to extinguish it.

Read more...

At least six injured after NYC construction crane partially collapses during fire

Not the first crane accident for city, or equipment owner

08:45 , AP

The crane is owned by the New York Crane & Equipment Corp., one of the city’s most widely used crane providers, officials said. The Queens-based company has been involved in other crane problems in recent years, leading to criminal charges and new safety measures around New York City’s crane operations.

The company did not respond to a request for comment.

In May of 2008, a collapse of the company’s tower crane killed two workers on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. The company and its owner, James Lomma, were acquitted of manslaughter and other charges; a mechanic pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide.

It was one of two deadly crane accidents in 2008, leading to the resignation of the city’s buildings commissioner, as well as new safety measures around testing and oversight of crane operations.

Five years later, a crane owned by the company left a concrete cube dangling above a bustling pedestrian area for several hours, shutting down a major thoroughfare in Midtown Manhattan.

In pictures: Drama as crane burns and partially collapses in Manhattan

09:45 , Oliver O'Connell

FDNY give update on response to crane collapse

10:15 , Rachel Sharp

10:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Video shows crane crashing into Manhattan skyscraper after catching fire

Construction workers speak of terror as crane came down

11:45 , Ariana Baio

“We’re walking down the stairs and that’s when you hear the boom, boom, boom,” Alexander, a construction worker who only wished to be identified by his first name, told The Independent.

“My heart is beating out of my chest because after that rumbling I’m like ‘this building is going to come down,’” Alexander said.

Alexander was working on the 12th floor of the under-construction building at 550 10th Avenue when a nearby crane caught fire and partially collapsed.

Jahsaan Osborne, who was working approximately two floors above Alexander, said they began evacuations when someone said the crane caught fire.

It wasn’t until the men were in the stairwell with others that the arm of the crane fell and smashed into the side of the building, causing the structure to tremble.

Mr Osborne said: “I was walking down the stairs and the building is rumbling, you’ve got people behind you who could trip, fall – it got a little scary.”

In videos shared to X, formerly known as Twitter, and Instagram, those filming the scary scene gasped at the sight of it.

While people watched in awe from afar, inside the building, Mr Osborne and Alexander said panic ensued.

“This guy, I see him fall head-down feet-up down the stairs when the rumbling happened and people start trampling over him,” Alexander recounted.

He added: “I saw that happen and I’m like ‘I can’t trample this dude because if we all die here today and that’s the last thing I do, that’s not how – the last thing I do is step over my brother and not even help him.’”

Alexander said his heart was beating out of his chest while he waited for the fallen man to get up and continue making his way down the stairs.

Mr Osborne said he was “shaking”.

Not the first crane accident for city, or equipment owner

12:45 , AP

The crane is owned by the New York Crane & Equipment Corp., one of the city’s most widely used crane providers, officials said. The Queens-based company has been involved in other crane problems in recent years, leading to criminal charges and new safety measures around New York City’s crane operations.

The company did not respond to a request for comment.

In May of 2008, a collapse of the company’s tower crane killed two workers on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. The company and its owner, James Lomma, were acquitted of manslaughter and other charges; a mechanic pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide.

It was one of two deadly crane accidents in 2008, leading to the resignation of the city’s buildings commissioner, as well as new safety measures around testing and oversight of crane operations.

Five years later, a crane owned by the company left a concrete cube dangling above a bustling pedestrian area for several hours, shutting down a major thoroughfare in Midtown Manhattan.

Recap: At least 12 injured after New York City construction crane partially collapses

13:45 , Megan Sheets

A construction crane sitting 45 stories atop a building in the Hell’s Kitchen neighbourhood of New York City caught fire and partially collapsed on Wednesday morning.

Around 7.30am, a fire broke out on the arm of a crane located on a building under construction near Tenth Avenue and West 41st Street.

Photos and videos taken from the incident showed the crane ablaze for several moments with dark, thick smoke billowing from it.

Officials said the operator was using the crane to lift 16 tonnes of concrete when he saw the blaze and tried to extinguish it.

Read more...

At least six injured after NYC construction crane partially collapses during fire

What caused the fire before collapse?

15:00 , Megan Sheets

Authorities have said an investigation is still underway to determine what caused the crane to catch fire before it collapsed into a Manhattan hi-rise on Wednesday morning.

However, one high-ranking city official revealed what investigators perceive so far to be the cause to CBS New York.

The official said a preliminary investigation suggested that hydraulic fluid had leaked onto a hot plate near the engine of the crane, sparking the fire.

The ongoing investigation into the official cause is being led by engineers with the Department of Buildings.

Crane operator tried to extinguish fire before fleeing

16:30 , Megan Sheets

City officials said the operator of the crane noticed the blaze and attempted to put it out with hand extinguishers.

Eventually, the flames became too overwhelming and he had to leave his post.

Moments later, as firefighters responded to the scene at about 7.25am, the fire weakened the structure to the point of partial collapse.

Stunning video captured the arm of the crane crashing down, brushing an adjacent skyscraper as debris rained to the street below.

Streets still closed a day after collapse

18:00 , Megan Sheets

Streets around the site of the crane collapse on Wednesday morning remain closed more than 24 hours later.

10th Avenue, where the collapse occurred, is blocked off between 39th and 42nd streets.

Additionally, 40th Street is closed between Galvin and Dyer avenues and 41st Street is closed between 9th and 11th streets.

Authorities have not offered a timeline on when the roads could be reopened.