Contractor Indicted on Homicide Charges in Crane Collapse

Following a wave of fatal crane accidents across the country, a New York contractor has been indicted in a Midtown crane collapse that occurred last year, killing seven people. The district attorney said that William Rapetti was in custody this morning and was indicted on homicide and other charges.

The accident occurred last March, when a 19-story tower crane broke off of an apartment building, hitting several buildings and causing one brownstone town house to be demolished. The construction site inspector who had supposedly inspected the crane several days before the accident was later charged for false claims, and in September of last year, OSHA cited Rapetti Rigging Services for failing to properly stabilize the crane.

According to an email sent to The Associated Press by Rapetti’s defense attorney, the contractor “has agreed to offer his full assistance and expertise in helping to determine the actual cause or causes of the crane collapse that day.”

NY contractor indicted in crane collapse, Associated Press, January 5, 2009
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