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Two Spider Cranes Fall During Rooftop Lift in New York City

Two spider cranes fell approximately 40–50 metres during a rooftop lifting operation on Ninth Avenue in New York City on August 1. A Unic URW-596 spider crane positioned on the roof of a 12-storey building was lifting a second spider crane when it reportedly slipped over the edge, causing both machines to fall onto first-floor scaffolding. No injuries were reported. Authorities are expected to investigate.

30-Second Takeaway Two spider cranes fell approximately 40–50 metres onto first-floor scaffolding in New York City on Friday, April 4th, after a rooftop lifting operation went wrong. A Unic URW-596 spider crane positioned on the roof of a 12-storey building was lifting a second spider crane when it reportedly slipped over the edge, causing both machines to fall. No injuries were reported. Authorities are expected to review the incident, and the site had reportedly been cited days earlier for unsafe hoisting methods. Incident Overview A serious crane-on-crane lifting incident  occurred on Friday, August 1 , at a construction site on Ninth Avenue in New York City . The incident involved two spider cranes  that fell from height during a rooftop lifting operation at a 12-storey building . What Is Known Location:  Ninth Avenue, New York City Date:  Friday, April 4th Building height:  12 storeys Crane involved:   Unic URW-596 spider crane  (on the roof) Fall distance:  Approximately 40–50 metres Injuries:  None reported The rooftop crane was lifting a second spider crane  from the ninth floor to the tenth floor  when the incident occurred. Apparent Sequence of Events Information received so far indicates that: The rooftop Unic URW-596  was hoisting a second spider crane During the lift, the top crane slipped over the building edge Both cranes then fell together  onto first-floor scaffolding below No official cause has yet been confirmed. Site Safety Context We have been informed that the site had reportedly been cited several days earlier for unsafe hoisting methods . This information has not yet been independently confirmed , but may form part of any regulatory review or investigation. Emergency Response No workers were injured The area was secured following the incident Scaffolding absorbed much of the impact, preventing further damage The absence of injuries in a fall of this magnitude is considered extremely fortunate. Investigation Status At the time of publication: No official investigation findings have been released Authorities are expected to examine: Lift planning and method statements Crane-on-crane lifting procedures Load control and edge protection Rooftop stability and exclusion zones Compliance with hoisting regulations Crane Hub Global will update this article as verified information becomes available. Why Spider Crane Drop Incidents Occur Spider crane incidents during rooftop operations can occur when: Lifts involve multiple machines  with limited redundancy Edge protection and restraint systems are insufficient Load control is compromised near roof edges Lift planning does not fully account for dynamic movement Temporary conditions differ from rated configurations Spider cranes offer flexibility, but margins can be narrow when operating at height. Industry Reminder Rooftop crane operations combine height risk, load transfer, and limited recovery options. When something slips, consequences escalate instantly. This incident reinforces the importance of disciplined lift planning, edge protection, and conservative decision-making , particularly when lifting cranes with cranes. Editorial Note Crane Hub Global reports on crane and lifting incidents to support industry awareness, technical understanding, and prevention. Where information is unconfirmed, this is clearly stated. This article will be updated as verified findings are released. How Incidents Like This Can Be Prevented Engineered Lift Planning Crane-on-crane lifts require formal engineering review , not informal site decisions. Edge Protection and Restraint Secondary restraint systems should be considered when lifting equipment near roof edges. Exclusion Zones Below Strict exclusion zones are essential beneath elevated lifting operations. Regulatory Compliance Previous safety citations should trigger immediate corrective action  before further lifting. Independent Lift Review High-risk lifts benefit from third-party verification before execution.

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