NEW YORK, NY – A large crane collapse in New York City has resulted in significant traffic disruptions, affecting commuters’ travel plans and causing delays for routes towards the Lincoln Tunnel. Six people were injured and an adjacent building was damaged.
As a consequence of the incident, residual traffic is backing up into surrounding areas around the city and on the opposite side of the tunnel in New Jersey.
Authorities are currently on-site, working to clear the area and assess the situation.
However, until the debris is fully removed and the damaged crane is secured, traffic diversions are in effect, impacting the normal flow of vehicles in the vicinity.
The accident has resulted in at least six people sustaining injuries, including two firefighters who were responding to the scene, as confirmed by officials.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams expressed relief, stating, “Thank God that the injuries… were minor. As you can see from the debris on the street, this could have been much worse.”
FDNY First Deputy Fire Commissioner Joseph Pfeifer provided details on the situation, noting that one firefighter is experiencing chest pains and is currently being transported to a nearby hospital for medical attention.
According to reports, the FDNY received an emergency call around 7:25 a.m., reporting a fire in the engine compartment of the construction crane, which was approximately 45 stories high.
“As our fire units responded to the scene, we had a collapse,” Pfeifer explained. “The top part of the crane, the boom, and a 16-ton concrete load crashed to the ground.”
Despite the severity of the incident, Pfeifer reassured that the injuries sustained by civilians and firefighters were relatively minor, considering the potential magnitude of the catastrophe.