Construction workers were seen hanging onto a malfunctioning crane Friday after its arm gave way and crashed onto the pool deck of a nearby luxury high-rise in Miami, according to bystander video.
The footage, captured by Macie Norrod, shows the crane arm whipping through the air before smashing through palm trees on an elevated pool area at the One Plaza West Brickell condo building.
Norrod watched the frightening scene from her home office and said she was left in “shock and disbelief,” Storyful reported.
A construction crane arm collapsed Friday onto the pool deck of a neighboring luxury condo high-rise in Miami. (Macie Norrod via Storyful)
“I thought I was about to watch the workers die from being squashed by the weights of the crane,” Norrod said.
In the video, workers wearing green vests can be seen gripping the upper section of the crane as the collapse unfolded, then making their way down ladders to safety.
The crane had not yet been put into service and was in the process of being assembled that afternoon when it suffered “some kind of failure,” Miami Fire Rescue spokesperson Lt. Pete Sanchez told News Outlet.
Workers held onto the crane after its arm collapsed. Officials said the crane was not operational and was being assembled at the time. (Macie Norrod via Storyful)
After that failure, the arm fell onto the rooftop deck and was partially submerged in the pool, according to a photo shared with News Outlet by Miami Fire Rescue.
“Firefighters immediately accessed the pool deck and conducted a thorough search, confirming that no victims were present,” Sanchez said. “The pool deck was secured and cordoned off to prevent residents and the public from entering the area while crews ensured the scene remained safe.”
A portion of the crane’s arm was submerged in the pool, investigators discovered during a search of the area. (Miami Fire-Rescue)
The construction crew also told authorities that all workers had been accounted for and none were injured.
Miami’s Building Department and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration are investigating the incident, the Miami Herald reported.
