The Department of Buildings has suspended the license of the crane operator worker at the time of yesterday’s terrifying crane collapse in Long Island City, Queens which injured 7 workers.
“It appears the operator was attempting to lift a load of 23,900 pounds – more than double the weight capacity for this particular crane,” DOB Commissioner Robert LiMandri said. “The preliminary investigation also shows that the operator was unable to see the materials being lifted and was attempting to lift those materials outside the approved loading zone.”
The crane collapsed yesterday at the EastCoast luxury housing development – in the shadow of the iconic Pepsi-Cola sign – as the operator was trying to lift a load of lumber.
The operator, identified as Paul Greer, was unable to be reached for comment.
None of the workers were seriously injured and a stop-work order remains in effect on the site.