Crane accident leaves several hurt in Manhattan
NEW YORK -- A material being lifted by a crane in midtown Manhattan fell numerous stories Sunday morning, police said.
Ten people were hurt, but their injuries are not considered to be life-threatening, Mayor Bill de Blasio said.
Police say the call came in around 10:45 a.m. Sunday. Officers who responded to 261 Madison Ave., a high-rise building between East 38th and East 39th streets, found that a crane's payload heading to the roof of the building had broken free.
The crane dropped a large piece of equipment -- believed to be an industrial-size generator or air conditioning unit -- police told CBS New York. The load struck several buildings, city officials said.
The falling equipment created a trail of damage along the building's facade. A large opening can be seen at the top of the building.
The crane's load fell onto the rear of a passing car below, and the vehicle then crashed into a fire hydrant, Smith reported.
It's not clear why the load fell. The city's Buildings Department said there were proper permits for construction at the site.
Streets have been closed in the surrounding area as emergency responders work at the scene.
De Blasio said the city is working to have those streets reopened by the Monday morning commute.