Crane Falls on House in Miami

[JonathanBelles]

2 Dead After Crane Falls Through Roof In Miami

Downtown Miami Construction Site Scene Of Crash

UPDATED: 4:39 pm EDT March 25, 2008

MIAMI -- Two people are confirmed dead and four are in serious condition after a piece of crane collapsed and fell through the roof of a home being used on a construction site in downtown Miami.

One of the dead is still under the rubble, and the other was pronounced dead at the hospital, Local 10 reported.

"We are sending dogs in to help locate the person that's still missing," said Ignatius Carroll, public information officer for Miami Fire and Rescue.

All six were inside the house Tuesday afternoon that was being used as a construction office.

Bovis Construction was working on a large condominium project, Paramount Bay, at 2125 N. Bayshore Drive., and using the adjacent house as a construction office, when a piece of crane fell through the roof of the home around 2 p.m. One person died after suffering a severe head injury from the crash, Local 10 reported.

The home was featured in the 1998 movie "There's Something About Mary."

Rescue workers could be seen from Sky 10 removing piles of rocks and debris in an effort to find the missing person. A large piece of crane that came crashing down was lifted out of the middle of the house to clear an area for rescue workers to search for the missing person.

Daniel Kodsi, president and CEO of RPC Holdings, Paramount Worldwide, the developer of the project, released a statement Tuesday afternoon.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of our workers. This is a terrible tragedy and we are focusing all of our resources and efforts to cope with the aftermath of this accident. At this point, there are not many more details that we have, but as soon as we know more, we will pass them along."

On March 16 in New York City, six construction workers and a woman visiting from Miami for St. Patrick's Day were killed when a crane broke away from an apartment tower under construction and toppled onto buildings as far as a block away.

Copyright 2008 by Local10.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

[HURAKAN]

I have already seen it in the local news. Really sad.

[Cryomaniac]

There's been a few of these recently. How many more before someone starts questioning how safe these cranes are?

[vbhoutex]

There's been a few of these recently. How many more before someone starts questioning how safe these cranes are?

My thoughts exactly!!! Or at least starts investigating why they apparently are not safe to be around lately. Lax laws? Lax enforcement?

[Category 5]

Two incidents like these so close together is INEXCUSEABLE. The companies need to be held 100% accountable.

[gtalum]

Two incidents like these so close together is INEXCUSEABLE. The companies need to be held 100% accountable.

The incidents are unrelated. That said, the companies will of course be held accountable. That's what the civil litigation courts are for.

[Category 5]

Two incidents like these so close together is INEXCUSEABLE. The companies need to be held 100% accountable.

The incidents are unrelated. That said, the companies will of course be held accountable. That's what the civil litigation courts are for.

I know, but you think after one, other crane operators would be inspecting their own.

[gtalum]

I know, but you think after one, other crane operators would be inspecting their own.

You'd think so, but in the end the almighty dollar always wins. I bet they're all looking a bit more closely now. I do wonder if the one in Miami might have been at an abandoned construction site, though. There are many unfinished condo buildings in downtown Miami that have been simply left to rot, cranes and all.