Florida crane collapse kills construction worker
One individual lost their life, and three others sustained injuries following the collapse of a crane section from a building in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA.
Authorities reported that while crews were elevating the crane’s height, a portion of it became detached.
Images from the incident depict the substantial metal structure falling onto a car traveling across a bridge, resulting in severe damage to its front.
A construction worker tragically lost their life after descending with the falling crane section.
Two of the injured individuals were transported to a hospital, while the third received on-site treatment.
The collapse occurred at approximately 16:30 local time on Thursday, according to officials.
During a press briefing, authorities explained that a construction team, engaged in enhancing the height of a high-rise building, was in the process of adding segments to the crane to extend its height when a platform, along with parts of the crane, dislodged from the structure.
They further stated that the crane itself remained affixed to the building.
The victims, including the deceased construction worker, were not identified by officials.
One driver recounted to a NBC network that his vehicle sustained damage from the falling crane segment, which struck his car before landing on the adjacent vehicle.
“I was driving and I felt a compression, and I looked up and I saw the blue structure coming down, and I slammed on my brakes,” Mark Cerezie told NBC 6.
“I’m very lucky to be alive,” he added.
Another woman who lives nearby told the network that the screams heard from the construction workers at the time of the collapse were “unsettling”.
Officials say they do not yet know what caused the crane piece to fall, and have closed the Southeast 3rd Avenue bridge indefinitely as they investigate around the site of the incident.
The crane section left a hole in the bridge, with city officials advising drivers to avoid the area until it is reopened.
The New River, which runs underneath it, has also been closed to marine traffic.
