Construction crane bucket falls into mid-Manhattan building injuring 8 people

Construction crane bucket fell about 53 stories, crashing into the mid-Manhattan building's glass facade and raining down debris. Eight people suffered minor injuries.

Photo: Construction crane bucket falls into mid-Manhattan building injuring 8 people

Deputy Fire Chief John Sudnik said the accident happened around 1 p.m. at One Bryant Park, the site of a Bank of America Tower currently under construction at 42nd Street and Sixth Avenue.

The crane's bucket fell from the top of the skyscraper, he said. The crane appeared structurally sound.

"All of a sudden tiny little pellets of glass were flying every place," said Charles Fiesel, 42, who was walking on 6th Avenue.

He said he grabbed a woman who was passing by and they ducked under scaffolding at the base of the building, avoiding injury.

Windows were broken on several floors of the tower, and glass was strewn on the street.

Those injured - four passers-by and four construction workers - suffered cuts and bruises.

The cleanup was expected to take several hours.