City warned about crane 9 months before collapse

Report: NYC Buildings Dept. Ignored Warnings Before Crane Collapse

NEW YORK (AP) -- A New York City Buildings Department division head reportedly sent e-mails nine months before a deadly construction accident, warning that a crane should be grounded because it was at risk of "catastrophic failure."

The Daily News reported Monday that the warnings were sent to department experts and outside consultants by Bethany Klein, who was head of the cranes and derricks unit. The May 30 crane collapse killed two workers.

The e-mails are part of a lawsuit filed by a victim's relatives.

The Buildings Department had no immediate comment.

Investigators into the Manhattan accident have focused on a crane part called the turntable, which had been damaged and rebuilt.