A construction worker died and at least four others were injured Tuesday after a crane fell apart at a Midtown Manhattan construction site for the extension of the 7 subway line.
It is believed a cable snapped and an 80-foot section and a 40-foot section of an upright crane fell shortly before 7:30 p.m. at the site by West 34th and 11th Avenue.
The crane was operating below street level, according to fire officials, and one worker was hit by the machine.
About 60 firefighters responded to aid the injured workers, who were trapped in a pit. Five people were taken to the hospital and a 30-year-old man was pronounced dead soon after.
"It was extremely dangerous, because we had construction material that wasn't stable and the crane, it was leaning against the building," said FDNY EMS Deputy Chief Jackie Sullivan. "So it was an expedited removal, but we had some difficulty because of the trauma."
One eyewitness said the crane accident sounded like a giant snapping rubber band.
"I was sitting here and heard the cable break as the thing was coming around and it just dropped," said the eyewitness.
Police officials said Tuesday night they were treating the site crime scene as a precaution, but there was no indication of criminal behavior or negligence.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is working with the Department of Buildings on the investigation.