A large section of a construction crane collapsed Thursday onto a bridge in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, killing a construction worker and injuring two other individuals.
In a statement released on Facebook, the Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue explained that Thursday’s construction accident took place at the Southeast 3rd Avenue Bridge, which crosses the New River.
“During the process of ‘stepping the crane’ a large section in the operation fell from an elevated position,” the Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue stated. “FLFR units are on scene going floor by floor of the building and securing the area around the collapse. 1 person deceased and two patients transported to Broward Health.”
According to Fox News, Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue crews responded to the construction crane incident at roughly 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue Chief Stephen Gollan told reporters during a Thursday news conference that the construction workers were working on a high-rise building when a section of the crane intended to increase the height of the crane became loose.
A video of the aftermath of Thursday’s construction accident shows the remains of the crane section that fell onto the Southeast 3rd Avenue Bridge.
While the majority of the crane did not collapse, Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue officials explained that the collapse of the crane section caused a construction worker to fall onto the bridge and sustain fatal injuries. Although the identify of the construction worker has not yet been disclosed, Gollan confirmed their death during Thursday’s press conference.
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In addition to the death of the construction worker, Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue officials said a man and a woman were both transported to the Broward Health Medical Center with minor injuries, while a third injured person did not require hospital care.
A picture of the scene on the bridge shared on social media by The New York Post shows a large section of the blue crane on top of a black vehicle. Based on the picture, the crane section appears to have cracked the windshield of the black car.
Fox News reported that the city temporarily closed both sides of the Southeast 3rd Avenue Bridge due to a hole that was created by the collapse of the crane section.
