10 Hurt as NYC Crane's Payload Plunges 28 Stories

But no injuries thought to be life-threatening
By Polly Davis Doig,  Newser Staff
Posted May 31, 2015 12:30 PM CDT
10 Hurt as NYC Crane's Payload Plunges 28 Stories
The damaged facade of 261 Madison Ave. after a piece of equipment being lifted by a crane broke free and fell about 28 stories to the sidewalk, Sunday, May 31, 2015, in New York.   (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)

A crane accident injured 10 people in Manhattan late this morning after a giant HVAC unit broke free as it was being raised, and plunged some 28 stories to the sidewalk below, reports WABC, bashing the facade at 261 Madison Ave. along the way. "It sounded like a freight train," a neighbor tells the New York Post. "They were rigging the HVAC unit through a hole on the top floor, and and it never made it into the building. ... It landed smack in the middle of Madison—right in front of the restaurant on the bottom floor."

None of the injuries are thought to be life-threatening; two construction workers were among the injured. Officials have closed nearby streets for fear of falling debris. "Thank goodness this occurs at this hour, on a weekend, when there were not many people around," Mayor Bill de Blasio said, per the Post. "Obviously, this is a very serious incident. There will be a full investigation." (More Manhattan stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X