HOME / NEWS / CRIME & JUSTICE

Who is Chris Van Dyune? Operator of crane that caught fire in NYC was also in 2008 accident that killed co-worker

At least twelve people, including three firefighters, were hurt when the crane broke

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: The person in charge of the crane that collapsed and caught fire at Manhattan's Hudson Yards on Wednesday, July 26, once had his operating permit canceled after a co-worker fell 48 stories to his death. The operator of the construction crane that broke and slammed down on the street below was identified by the Department of Buildings (DOB) as Chris Van Duyne of Rockaway, New Jersey. Van Duyne's operatorship was confirmed, but the DOB said the 62-year-old man was not included in the building documentation. The DOB stated that they were investigating the issue but were unable to comment on whether it was unusual.

Back in September 2008, after a crane rigger fell from a platform linked to the crane that resulted in the death, both Chris Van Duyne and his older brother James temporarily lost their licenses to operate tower cranes. According to an article from The Post at the time, Anthony Esposito, 43, was constructing a 20-foot mobile bridge that connected the crane to the glass-walled Silver Towers at the River Place building on West 42nd Street. Esposito, a married father of three, fell to his death while assisting the Van Duyne brothers in dismantling the crane.

Esposito was putting on a harness, but it wasn't fastened. Since work started in February 2006, the $917 million building developed by World Trade Center developer Larry Silverstein had accrued 46 infractions and 24 complaints after Esposito's death, as reported by New York Post.

James and Chris Van Duyne both did 30 hours of DOB training

James and Chris Van Duyne were each required to do 30 hours of DOB training in addition to paying $25,000 penalties for their involvement in the deadly drop. James lost his license for six months, while Van Duyne was forced to give up his Class B hoist machine license, which permits operators to operate any crane in the city.

Multiple requests for comment on Wednesday, July 26, were unanswered by Chris, as per New York Post. Wednesday's crane fall left a mess in its wake, and when asked, Van Duyne said, "I have nothing to say." According to officials, he was inside the machine on the 45th story of an empty building under construction at 550 Tenth Avenue at approximately 7:30 am in the morning. Footage from the crane collapse was soon posted on Twitter.

Chris Van Duyne ran for his life

Sixteen tons of concrete were being transported when the cabin area suddenly caught fire. According to FDNY First Deputy Fire Commissioner Joseph Pfeifer, Chris Van Duyne attempted to put out the fire with a fire extinguisher but could not do so and ran for his life. At least twelve people, including three firefighters, were hurt when the crane broke. As it fell, it collided with a nearby structure, sending pieces of it to the ground.