**Crane Collapse: Tragedy on Fort Lauderdale Bridge**
Fort Lauderdale, FL – The tragic collapse of a construction crane on Thursday afternoon has claimed one life and injured two others on the bustling SE 3rd Avenue bridge in downtown Fort Lauderdale.
The Incident
According to Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue Chief Stephen Gollan, the incident occurred around rush hour while construction crews were working on a nearby high-rise building. The collapse involved a platform that was being used to stage equipment, which detached and crashed onto the bridge below.
Injuries and Casualties
Two individuals who were on the bridge at the time of the collapse were injured. Thankfully, they have since been released from the hospital. However, a construction worker who fell with the crane platform sadly passed away.
Witness Accounts
Mark Cerezin, a Tesla driver who witnessed the terrifying event, described seeing a “big, huge piece of blue metal coming down.” The metal structure landed on his car, causing significant damage. Cerezin shared, “It was like slow motion… I couldn’t believe I was still alive.”
Another eyewitness, Valeriia Becher, was just meters away from the collapse with her family. She captured the terrifying moment on video. “We saw… this construction detail just falling like paper,” she exclaimed.
Cause of the Collapse
An investigation is underway by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Florida Department of Transportation, and Fort Lauderdale police to determine the exact cause of the collapse. It appears that the collapse occurred during a process called “stepping the crane,” where a section was being added to increase the crane’s height.
The Project and Contractor
The crane was located at a $87.9 million dollar construction site at 333 North New River Drive, where KAST Construction holds the permit. KAST has settled several lawsuits involving allegations of negligence and injury in recent years, according to The Miami Herald.
Aftermath
The bridge was closed overnight while crews removed the crane section and repaired the damage. The road was reopened to traffic on Friday morning.
The community is mourning the tragic loss of life and expressing sympathy for the injured. The investigation continues to shed light on the circumstances surrounding this horrific incident.