High Winds Cause Crane Collapse in AC

High winds and rain cause dangerous conditions in Atlantic City

Atlantic City officials were back at a construction site Sunday morning to determine if heavy wind and rains from this weekend's storm may be responsible for partial crane collapse.

It happened Saturday around 12:30 p.m. at the Revel casino construction site on Pacific Avenue when a boom fell from a crane. Officials say a police officer was injured during the incident.

Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the accident.

"We have begun remediation of the crane and are working in conjunction with the manufacturer and local authorities to ensure public safety, which is our top priority," said Tishman Construction Director of Public Affairs John Gallagher in a statement. "We will continue to provide local hotel accommodations for those evacuated from the surrounding area until everyone is in agreement that it is safe for them to return to their homes."

Hundreds people evacuated from the Beachgate Condos were initially taken to the convention center, but most of them are now staying with family members, the Red Cross said. But Revel did pay for 25 rooms at the Chelsea Hotel for those that had nowhere else to go. The company will continue to pay for the rooms until it is safe for those people to head home.

Rob Singletary and his 85-year-old mother were two of 380 people forced to evacuate. "You just had to run around and get things that you need, essentials... and let's go," Singletary said.

Large pieces of debris from the site were "raining down on about a six-block area" on Saturday, police Capt. Bill McKnight said. Emergency crews evacuated two nearby condominium complexes and forced the brief closure of several area roads.

"I was scared because I thought it was something going on with the building not next door," said Arnold Jacob, an evacuee.

Wind may also be responsible for two homes crashing down, at 110 Indiana Ave. and 1800 Garfield Ave. Those two homes will need to be either demolished or repaired, according to Atlantic City Emergency Management. Several people were also evacuated from the area in that incident.

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