Crane collapses in New York City; 2 dead

By Associated Press

Photo by AP

Part of a crane collapsed on 91st Street on New York's Upper East Side on Friday. The crane smashed into a 23-story apartment building before crashing onto the street below and killing at least one person.

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NEW YORK — A construction crane collapsed Friday on New York's Upper East Side, smashing into a 23-story apartment building as it fell to the ground, killing two construction workers and seriously injuring a third.

It was the second deadly crane accident in 2 1/2 months in the city, which is undergoing a building boom.

Crane collapse kills 1

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"What has happened is unacceptable and intolerable. Having said that, we do not know at the moment what happened or why," said Mayor Michael Bloomberg at a news conference, adding that it appears the builders followed regulations.

The two men who died were identified as Ramadan Kurtas, 27, and the crane's operator, Donald Leo, 30, said Ellen Borakove, spokesman for the New York City medical examiner's office.

The other construction worker was in serious condition, Bloomberg said. In addition, one pedestrian was treated for minor injuries.

However, foreman Scott Blair said a construction worker, Simeon Alexis, was taken to a hospital with his "chest slashed open."

The mayor said seven buildings have been evacuated as a precaution following the collapse.

Bloomberg said the top part of the crane snapped off and fell against the building on the southwest corner of 91st Street around 8 a.m.. Witnesses described a loud boom, then a cloud of smoke and debris.

Video from the scene showed the upper-floor balconies of the apartment building were severely damaged and a hole extended several stories down the side of the building.

Read tomorrow's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

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