Crane accidents are shockingly common. Here’s why they happen

The fiery collapse of a building crane in Manhattan is the latest high-rise construction catastrophe.

When a fire broke out in the suspended operator’s cab of a massive construction crane in New York City early Wednesday, it didn’t take long for the structure, which was 45 stories high, to come crashing down. Within minutes, the top of the crane’s boom arm careened over like a falling tree, slamming its tip into the top of a building across the street before swinging down and crashing into the side of the building it had been constructing. Debris was sent hurtling to the ground. Four civilians and two firefighters were injured.

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