DOB: Operator Errors To Blame For Fatal Tribeca Crane Collapse
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A crane collapse in Tribeca that left one man dead and three others injured was caused by a series of errors by the crane operator, according to the results of an investigation by the New York City Department of Buildings.
David Wichs, 38, of the Upper West Side was killed instantly as he walked along Worth Street.
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The results of the investigation were released Friday. As CBS2's Dick Brennan reported, the investigation found that the operator failed to secure the crane the night before the accident and that he lowered the main boom of the crane at an improper angle the morning of Feb. 5, causing the crane to become unstable and topple over, the DOB said.
The DOB has suspended Kevin Reilly's license and filed a case against him to revoke his license permanently. Due to these actions, the crane operator is no longer allowed to operate cranes in New York City.
PHOTOS: Tribeca Crane Collapse | VIDEOS: Deadly Crane Collapse
"Our actions following this tragedy have made New Yorkers safer," said Mayor Bill de Blasio. "Today's report furthers this effort and will help shape new legislation to prevent future crane accidents. I thank everyone who worked so hard to get us to this point, including the Crane Safety Technical Working Group, our partners in the City Council, industry experts, and the Department of Buildings. The city is safer because of their work."
The collapse happened just before 8:30 a.m. on Worth Street near Church Street.
