Panic enveloped New York City when a crane crashed down injuring 5 passers by including a firefighter.
According to Hindustan Times, fire broke out in the cabin area of a crane near an under-construction house at 570 10th Avenue. Minutes later, the top portion of the crane plummeted and came crashing down on the building.
The incident happened at 7.30 am near Hudson Yards between West 41st and West 42nd Streets.
Panic on the streets
As the crane crashed down, pedestrians scurried for safety and cars blared their horns in panic causing chaos on the streets.
One eye witness, Heidi Elmore tweeted, “Welcome to New York,” and posted the video of the burning crane. She told her network, “Crane next to my hotel is on fire and collapsing so we had to evacuate.”
The New York Times reported that the crane was 45 stories above the street when the crash happened. The crane operator tried to put out the fire with a hand extinguisher but failed and later fled from the machine. He is safe, the newspaper reported.
The same newspaper said that one more firefighter was injured in the crash. One of the crash victims was having chest pains and was later taken to a hospital.
Toll could have been higher
Joseph W. Pfeiffer, deputy commissioner of the fire department said there could have been more injuries. He told the media, “This is a good morning, this could have been a lot worse.” Pfeiffer also said that more than 200 firefighters and rescuers were on the scene.
People living and working in the area took photos of the fallen crane. Jordy Jimenez was in the neighbourhood when he heard the noise. “It was a loud, loud crash, ” he said adding that it wasn’t a typical noise.
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