7 DIE IN CRANE ACCIDENT AFTER FALSE REPORT FILED
According to the New York Times, building officials believe it was highly unlikely that a missed inspection resulted in the deaths of 7 people on March 15th, however, Edward J. Marquette, 46, was arrested anyway after he faked a report indicating that he inspected a construction crane on the East Side of Manhattan on March 4th, just 11 days before the crane collapsed killing 7 people. The deaths occurred when workers were ‘jumping’ the crane, which is the process used to add sections to the tower, making it taller.
Officials believe that the accident occurred when a 6 ton steel collar, being fitted around the crane’s tower, as a part of the bracing operation, broke free-plummeting 18 stories, and shearing off braces in place on the 9th floor. An investigation is ongoing, and in addition to the crane falling two nylon slings that had been holding a collar in place high on the crane also broke.
Patricia Lancaster, New York Buildings Commissioner commented that every crane supposedly inspected by Marquette over the last six months would be re-inspected. Further, the New York Investigations Department will be performing a full review of the Buildings Department’s cranes and derricks division.
Rose Gill Hearn, of the Investigation Department, indicated that Marquette never went to the building site to inspect, but he wrote in a work log that he had been there. Mr. Marquette, who has worked as a crane inspector since October 2001, and making $52,283 a year, was arrested for falsifying business records.
The New York Buildings Department has suffered through corruption scandals in the past, including bribery of inspectors. However, Hearn said at this time there is no indication that anyone involved in the NY construction project was involved with the allegedly false report by Marquette.
Construction accidents are almost always catastrophically devastating events. As our New York skyline continues to grow with immense structures, the number of construction sites continues to grow, almost exponentially. Thousands of tons of steel and concrete are used to erect our cities skyscrapers and it is of the utmost importance that the agents trusted with the safety and security of these job sites does their job properly, or the result, as in this matter, can be tragic. If you, a friend or family member has been injured through the negligence of your employer or if you’ve been in an NY Construction Accident, please call New York Construction Accident Attorneys at Wingate, Russotti & Shapiro.
