NPR: Updated: Crane Drops Debris Bucket 50 Stories in NYC

Updated: Crane Drops Debris Bucket 50 Stories in NYC

A crane dropped a bucket full of debris from a height of more than 50 stories at a Bank of America construction site along Manhattan's busy 6th Avenue this afternoon, around 1 p.m. Reports put the number of injured at seven or eight, including workers and passersby. No one was seriously hurt.

The accident shattered the rear windshield of this taxi.

Rachel Martin

Police cordoned off the area around the building, near the corner of 42nd Street and 6th Avenue. People and cars jammed the streets and nearby Bryant Park.

Images of the scene (with thanks to Holly Northrop)

Pictures by Rachel Martin

On the sidewalk an hour later, construction foremen were taking workers off the clock. "If you want to go home, go home," one said, waving his people away.

A cop on a bullhorn tried to steer people toward 5th Avenue. "We have to clear the area because of falling glass," he kept repeating. "Everybody has to go east, east, east."

Laura Conaway

1:49 PM ET | 10-17-2007 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

That must have been quite a loud noise. Were you able to hear it from BPP HQ?

Sent by andy carvin | 4:18 PM ET | 10-17-2007

We couldn't, but Matt Martinez was having lunch nearby, and he said it was just about the loudest sound in the world.

Sent by Laura C. | 7:34 PM ET | 10-17-2007

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