Crane Collapse Kills 4, Injures 10
A multi-story crane working on a skyscraper under construction broke apart and fell across several buildings resulting in the deaths of 4 people and injuring at least 10 more according to a report. Officials investigating the accident say that the crane was at least 19 stories tall and split into several pieces as it fell, completely demolishing a four-story townhouse and causing significant damage to five other nearby buildings. Emergency response personnel rescued one injured man from the debris of the townhouse four hours after the crane accident occurred.
Details are still sketchy, but the authorities believe that the four people killed in the construction accident were all workers at the construction site for a condominium tower. Those suffering injuries are believed to have lived or worked in the buildings which were damaged. Accident investigators claim that a piece of steel somehow fell and sheared off one of the ties which held the crane to the building which then destabilized the crane, causing it to detach, topple and break into several pieces as it fell.
Residents in the area claim that they contacted the city several times about the construction site, saying that the building seemed to be going up too quickly and those crews were working illegal hours. City officials say that they have issued 13 violations to the construction site over the last 27 months, but claim that given the size and scope of the project, this is not an unusually high figure. Interestingly, the last inspection of the crane apparently took place the day before the fatal construction accident which raises a number of issues in and of itself.
Construction work sites are some of the most dangerous places to work in the country. As this and other recent crane accidents have shown, these types of construction accidents not only endanger the people who work at construction sites but also the people living and working nearby.
If you or someone you care for has been injured or killed in an Arizona crane accident or another type of Arizona construction accident, our experienced Arizona construction accident attorneys may be able to help. After a free initial consultation, we’ll launch an immediate investigation and may be able to help you receive compensation to offset steep medical expenses and other costs. To schedule a consultation with our skilled Arizona construction accident lawyers, call us today at 602.978.6400.
