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Sep 07, 2011

ENS: Crane Collapses at Washington National Cathedral

[Episcopal News Service] A 500-foot crane erected at Washington National Cathedral to repair damage caused by a recent earthquake collapsed at 10:55 a.m. on Sept. 7 and fell into an outbuilding in the cathedral grounds.

A note on the cathedral website said that emergency services, engineers and contractors had arrived on the scene to make initial assessments and that further information would be posted following a complete analysis.

The crane, which was placed on the south side of the cathedral to allow workers to stabilize damaged sections on the central tower, fell against Herb Cottage -- where the cathedral gift shop is housed -- and poses a threat to Church House, where administrative offices are located. The crane also crushed several vehicles in the cathedral parking lot, according to reports.

DC Fire/EMS Battalion Chief John Donnelly said one person was taken to a hospital but that he did not know the extent of the person's injuries, according to one report. No further damage to the cathedral building has been reported.

"The operator of the crane was inside the cab at the base when the accident happened," according to anNBC Washington report. "Authorities said immediately before it flipped, the crane's arm, extended approximately 350 feet, had just deposited material on the cathedral roof. While rotating, the equipment's balance upset, and the crane came crashing down into an area between the roadway and the church itself.”

The crane had been erected after the cathedral sustained damage from the magnitude-5.8 earthquake that struck in Virginia on Aug. 23. The building suffered further damage one week later from Hurricane Irene, whose high winds caused loose masonry to fall from the building and further displaced some of the pinnacles.

The building was in the process of being stabilized to ensure it does not pose any risk to visitors. The cathedral is set to reopen on Sept. 9 for a series of events planned for the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.