MANHATTAN, NY — A spider crane crashed through scaffolding in Midtown Manhattan on Friday afternoon, sparking a rapid response by FDNY crews who rushed to assess damage and search for any trapped victims. No injuries were reported in the incident, which occurred at 501 9th Avenue.
Key Points
- A spider crane collapsed through scaffolding on 9th Avenue in Midtown.
- FDNY units responded within four minutes and found no one trapped or injured.
- The Department of Buildings is investigating the structural failure.
First responders searched debris, checked roof integrity
Firefighters responded within minutes of the collapse call, arriving on scene to a chaotic pile of debris caused by the crane’s fall. FDNY Assistant Chief Michael Meyers said crews immediately began searching under the wreckage to confirm no one was trapped beneath.
“We arrived on scene and we immediately began to do a search under the debris pile to see if there was anybody located underneath,” Meyers said.
Simultaneously, other FDNY units conducted a structural assessment of the affected building and its roof. Units from Engine 34, Ladder 4 and Rescue 1 were tasked with ensuring that the building’s structural integrity was uncompromised.
Building inspectors to determine cause of collapse
The New York City Department of Buildings is leading the investigation into what caused the spider crane to fall. As of Friday evening, no cause had been publicly determined, and officials were evaluating the stability of both the scaffolding and surrounding structures.
No evacuations were ordered, and there was no indication of further danger to the public. The building remained secured as safety inspections continued through the weekend.
An FDNY search and safety sweep followed a Midtown crane collapse that left twisted scaffolding but no injuries.