In Norwood, Massachusetts, a crane collapsed onto an apartment building situated near Bahama Drive within the Nassau Gardens complex, close to Neponset St. by Route 1.
Kavita Patel, who was working from her Norwood apartment, recounted feeling a strong vibration and hearing a loud thud during the incident at lunchtime on Friday.
Residents noted that the crane had been intermittently present at the apartment complex since autumn, engaged in roof work.
Jim Towne, a former crane operator, witnessed the accident while having lunch nearby and described seeing the crane’s boom descend rapidly, indicating trouble.
The crane operator reportedly mentioned to Towne that the outrigger had failed, raising concerns about his safety.
Outriggers are structural components extending from the crane’s base to enhance stability.
Video footage from Sky 5 depicted the crane’s impact on the building’s roof, with lumber cascading onto a vehicle in the parking lot.
Norwood firefighters conducted a building search, evacuating residents and securing utilities. Five individuals received an evaluation by Norwood Ambulance, with one person declining treatment.
Fire department units remained on-site as efforts to remove the crane continued.
Caution tape surrounded the overturned crane and adjacent vehicles in the parking area.
Fire officials stated that the building’s habitability post-crane removal was uncertain, prompting calls for building and wiring inspections.
Residents were advised to await crane repairs before reoccupying their units.
The Department of Labor spokesperson confirmed that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration had been notified of the incident.
(George Curtis, Norwood Historical Society)
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