Hurricane Sandy Update NYC: Crane Collapses in Manhattan as Storm Approaches, Evacuation Prompted (WATCH VIDEO)
A crane hanging from the top of a luxury Manhattan skyscraper under construction collapsed on Monday.
This collapse was caused by the strong and gutful winds of Hurricane Sandy, the super storm that continues to shake the Big Apple.
CNN reported that the collapsed crane left its arm precariously perched and is currently hanging over West 57th Street.
According to Detective Martin Speechley of the New York Police Department, New York police and fire crews have reported to the scene and part of the street has been closed off as a precaution.
The skyscraper under construction was identified as the One57 building.
The New York Office of Emergency Management is asking all residents of upper floors in buildings near the location of the collapse to evacuate immediately to lower floors.
"Due to a crane collapse at 157 West 57th Street in Manhattan, all occupants of building on West 57 Street between 6th and 7th Avenues must immediately move to the lower floors of your building and make contact with your building safety representatives," an email alert from the city said.
The city's Department of Buildings on Sunday ordered that all cranes needed to be secured in preparation of Hurricane Sandy. This makes the cause of the collapse immediately unclear.
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Whether or not the ordered instructions were followed at One57 is unknown.
Super storm Hurricane Sandy continues to churn up the east coast with powerful winds, as it makes an entrance.
The super storm has yet to hit New York's metro area.
The building at 157 W. 57th St., is poised to be the tallest residential property in Manhattan with 90 stories.
The One57 complex offers some of the most expensive apartments in New York, with celebrity residents. A penthouse at the location was recently reported to have closed for more than $90 million, the New York Times reported.
