Investigators Say Operator at Fault in Deadly Crane Accident in Tribeca

The crane lies across Worth Street, between Hudson and Church streets. The length of one of the fallen booms measured 194 feet, the other 322 feet. Photo: Carl Glassman/Tribeca Trib

A “series of errors” by a crane operator is being blamed for the crane collapse on Worth Street in February that killed one person and seriously injured three others, according to the findings of an investigation released on Friday by the city’s Department of Buildings.

Investigators said the operator, Kevin Reilly, failed to secure the 565-foot crane the night before the 8:30 a.m. accident on Feb. 5 and then, that morning, lowered the main boom at the improper angle “causing the crane to become unstable and topple over.” The crane had been hoisting generators and other equipment onto 60 Hudson Street, a telecommunications hub.

David Wichs, 38, of the Upper West Side, was killed instantly as he was walking to work along Worth Street.

Following the accident, the city ordered crane operators to take additional safety precautions that included the barring of certain crawler cranes from city streets. The DOB is now proposing new laws and rules that would further enhance crane safety. That includes more stringent licensing requirements for crane operators, and the registration of lift directors who must be on site throughout a crane’s operation.

"Our actions following this tragedy have made New Yorkers safer,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a statement. “Today's report furthers this effort and will help shape new legislation to prevent future crane accidents.”