Manhattan

1 Hurt After Knuckleboom Crane Malfunctions Near Penn Station: Officials

Police say the crane operator suffered a minor injury to his foot

What to Know

  • A knuckleboom crane malfunctioned late Monday near Penn Station in Midtown, Manhattan, officials say
  • Police say the crane operator suffered a minor injury to his foot after the boom crane malfunctioned at West 34th Street and 7th Avenue
  • Officials say the crane was carrying I-beams for a sidewalk shed just before it malfunctioned; there was also a large hydraulic fluid leak

One person was injured after a knuckleboom crane malfunctioned in Midtown, near Penn Station, Monday night, officials say. 

The knuckleboom fell near the busy intersection of West 34th Street and Seventh Avenue shortly before 10:30 p.m., according to the FDNY. Police say the hydraulic system on the boom crane failed, causing the boom to lower to the ground.

Police say the crane operator suffered a minor injury to his foot.

Officials say the crane was carrying I-beams for a sidewalk shed just before it malfunctioned. There was also a large hydraulic fluid leak due to the malfunction. 

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34th Street between Seventh and Eighth avenues was shut down to traffic for hours. It reopened around 6:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Video shows dozens of firefighters, police officers and Con Edison crews swarming the area around the crane. Department of Buildings inspectors are also on the scene to investigate. 

Amtrak said no trains were delayed at Penn because of the malfunction.

Last spring, the I-Team investigated boom trucks

Inspectors from the department of buildings are on the lookout for improper and illegal use of knuckle boom trucks. These trucks are popular at job sites because they can respond quickly and have a boom that can lift up to 100 feet. Pei-Sze Cheng reports.
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