Two construction workers were injured when a crane collapsed at an Amazon warehouse in Hawthorne on Friday. One of the workers suffered a partial leg amputation resulting from the accident
In a similar incident, another construction worker’s leg was amputated after being trapped under a crane which happened in October of 2021, and another construction worker experienced the same misfortune in 2013.
In Friday’s incident, it’s known that the crane malfunctioned, but it’s not clear what caused it. Construction has been going on for about a year, and the warehouse was set to open in autumn.
Chief Paul Oliva of Mount Pleasant Police said, “The crane operator was not injured. The crane did not flip over, but there was some sort of failure. Two persons were injured. One subject did have a partial leg amputation.”
Both of the construction workers who were injured in the incident were conscious when they were taken to a nearby hospital. The warehouse has been shut down, and the Occupational Health and Safety Administration is investigating further.
Pieces of the crane had fallen and were scattered around the property of the warehouse on Saw Mill River Road, Route 9A. The southbound right lane of Route 9A was closed from Skyline Drive to Route 141 to make way for emergency responders.
One New Jersey construction worker says, “On a windy day, oh man. You can see the cranes sway. Sure, they’re supposed to withstand a certain amount of force, but I wouldn’t want to be around to find out when it gives. This happening is sad and shocking, and it makes me want to hug my kids a little tighter tonight, but it’s not surprising.” – Joe Lallok, OSHA Construction Safety Engineer
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