A construction worker was killed in a crane accident at a work site in midtown Manhattan, fire officials said Friday
A hydraulic system on a crane failed and pinned the worker between the crane's boom and a truck shortly before noon at a hotel construction site on 219 E. 44th Street between Second and Third avenues, the FDNY said.
City officials said the worker had difficulty transporting materials with the crane. When he went to check out the problem, he became pinned by the truck's boom, and the weight of the machinery crushed him.
Authorities did not name the worker pending family notification.
Fernando Bajanadiaz, who works nearby, said the worker was a familiar face in the neighborhood.
"He's one of the main guys at the construction site next door, good man," he said.
A 35-story, mixed-use building including a hotel and 240 dwelling units was being constructed on the site, according to Department of Buildings records. Officials say the problem appeared to be with the truck, not the building.
Local
-- Sheldon Dutes contributed to this report
