Construction Crane Collapses at Washington’s National Cathedral

WASHINGTON (AP) – A 500-foot crane collapsed Wednesday at the Washington National Cathedral amid thunderstorms, damaging two buildings and several vehicles.

No serious injuries were reported. Officials are still investigating what caused the crane to tip over.

A spokesman for the D.C. fire department, Oscar Mendez, said the crane flipped backward about 11 a.m. Wednesday. He said the crane damaged three to five cars and cathedral buildings.

Richard Weinberg, a spokesman for the cathedral, said that the crane damaged Herb Cottage, which houses the cathedral’s gift shop, and Church House, which houses members of the diocese. All 20 people inside the buildings when the crane collapsed were not hurt, and the cathedral itself was not damaged, Weinberg said.

The cathedral is set to host memorial events for 9/11 starting Friday and continuing this weekend. Weinberg said no decision had been made yet as to whether the events would go on as planned.

Weinberg said the crane was at the cathedral to work on repairs needed because of damage caused by the East Coast earthquake on Aug. 23. The quake damaged the cathedral’s limestone exterior towers and some interior areas.

“If it had gone any other direction it would have hit another building, which would have been bad,” fire Battalion Chief John Donnelly said.