A heavy‑lift crane came down on Friday at a commercial site on a barge in the Mystic River, just north of Boston. The collapse killed at least one worker and left another injured and in the hospital, Everett Fire Chief John Hickey said.
The accident happened in a busy commercial area near the river, where construction and logistics businesses are common. The crane was a large, red tower used for lifting heavy materials. Witnesses heard a sudden clang and saw the structure topple forward, sending steel and concrete into the water.
Emergency crews arrived quickly. Firefighters and uniformed officers moved the injured worker to an ambulance, while others helped secure the wreckage and clear the site. The police team and occupational safety officials, including OSHA, have set up a containment zone to keep bystanders safe and to investigate the cause.
According to Chief Hickey, authorities are still figuring out why the crane failed. “We’re looking at possible mechanical failure or an equipment malfunction,” he said. “The preliminary assessment suggests the lift might have been overloaded or the rigging was compromised.” The investigation has been opened by the Massachusetts Department of Labor and Industry and the federal OSHA office.
The incident has left the local community in shock. Workers at nearby businesses described the sudden silence that followed the collapse, breaking the usual hum of construction activity. “It was like a thunderclap,” one construction manager told reporters. “Everyone went straight to the nearest exit.”
Meanwhile, federal agencies have confirmed that the crane manufacturer and the company that hired the crew are cooperating with the investigation. The company will likely face an OSHA inspection, and it may be fined if the investigation finds violations.
The Governor’s office will be briefed by Saturday. “This tragic event is a reminder of the importance of stringent safety protocols and regular equipment checks,” Governor Maura Healey said in a brief statement. “We will ensure that all employers comply with federal and state safety standards.”
The wreckage was cleared by evening, but the crane’s steel framework remains an ominous reminder by the Mystic River. The local news team has posted several photos of the collapsed crane, and authorities have warned residents not to approach the barge until the area is fully secured.
Residents can stay updated on the investigation by following the Everett Police Department on social media and checking local news outlets. The city is working to keep the matter from spreading on social media, which made it difficult for family members to get accurate information.
For now, the community mourns the lost life, braces for inquiries, and argues for stricter safety oversight in the construction industry. The investigation continues, and authorities promise to report any findings as soon as they are available.
Source: Fox News
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