Remembering Crane Accident Victims
It’s been just over one year since a deadly crane collapse on the east side of midtown Manhattan, and some from the community gathered at the spot to pay their respects to those who passed away in the accident. Residents in the area wanted to make sure they brought the situation to light so that they don’t have to see another accident happen in the city again.
"The community has said enough is enough - safety has to come before speed," said Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, at the vigil at 305 E. 50th St. "We’re not where we have to get to (but) we were able to make great gains. We will never tolerate one day where we see a crane breezy in the wind and think that’s OK."
The crane toppled from a 19-story building on East 51st Street and leveled a four-story town house. The seven victims included construction workers Brad Cohen, 54, from Farmingdale and Santino Gallone, 37, of Bellmore.
In the last year, the City Council has passed 12 laws concerning crane safety, including tougher rules on using the nylon straps that secure cranes. A recent city investigation found that the improperly rigged 11,000-pound steel brace on the tower crane fell after workers had attached only four of eight protective nylon slings.