Jeremy Bales
Firefighters rush an injured construction worker to a waiting ambulance following Wednesday’s crane collapse in Long Island City.
The city suspended the license of a veteran crane operator Thursday, charging he was lifting a load far too heavy when his machine collapsed in Long Island City Wednesday.
Paul Geer, who got his license 18 years ago, was swinging a load of lumber that weighed 23,900 pounds — twice what his aging tractor crane could handle, city Buildings Commissioner Robert Limandri alleged.
The crane crumpled to the ground at a construction site, hurting seven workers, including three who were seriously injured.
The department ordered work halted at the site while the investigation continues.
Ed Christian, the president of Geer’s union, Operating Engineers Local 14, fired back that it was too early to know what caused the disaster.
“There are a multitude of factors that must be explored and investigated,” he said.
