Investigators Looking for Cause of Crane Collapse

NEW YORK (AP) — New York City officials say it may take weeks to determine why a huge construction crane that was being lowered during strong winds came crashing down onto a street, killing a pedestrian and crushing a row of parked cars.

Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage from nearby buildings and poring over the twisted, crumpled steel of the 565-foot-long crane, which came thundering down onto a historic Manhattan street 10 blocks north of the World Trade Center during Friday morning's commute.

Officials say they have recovered the mobile crane's movement recording computer, which could provide some clues.

Work crews are slicing up the downed crane into as many as 35 pieces, which will be loaded by four other cranes onto flatbed trucks and removed for further study. Officials say they hope to have the block of Worth Street cleared of debris by Monday morning.

It could be several days, though, before buildings whose pipes were crushed can have their water restored and before crews can repave the street.

Wall Street worker David Wichs was killed in the collapse. And three other people were hurt.