Crane collapse leads to criminal inquiry

NEW YORK, June 1 (UPI) -- A criminal investigation has been initiated by the Manhattan district attorney's office into last week's crane collapse in New York, an official says.

An anonymous official said while most criminal inquiries into fatal construction accidents are quickly cleared of any wrongdoing that may not be case with this most recent incident, The New York Times reported Sunday.

"I wouldn't say that here," the official said. "I think it's an open question. If in fact that turntable was taken out of service and someone put it back in service improperly, that could lead to criminal liability."

The investigation is looking into reports the crane, which collapsed last Friday and killed two workers, was still in operation despite being seriously damaged in 2007.

The official said the crane's rotating apparatus was significantly damaged last year, but it is still unclear if that turntable was the same one involved in last week's accident.

If the piece of machinery was not replaced, investigators will determine if there is any criminal liability for the crane's owner, New York Crane and Equipment Corporation, the Times reported.