4 Dead, 4 Injured After Crane Collapses and Crushes Cars in Seattle

A construction crane collapsed on Mercer Street near Interstate 5 in downtown Seattle on Saturday, crushing several cars. Chelsea Oughton / AP

Four people were killed Saturday when a crane plummeted into cars on a downtown Seattle street, authorities said.

The crane fell into traffic and crushed five cars; three people also were injured, the Seattle Fire Department tweeted.

The incident at Fairview Ave N and involved a crane that fell into traffic. 5 cars were crushed. There are a total of 4 fatalities, and 3 injured patients that have been transferred to the hospital. pic.twitter.com/HM3PBZ5Udt

— Seattle Fire Dept. (@SeattleFire) April 27, 2019

Emergency crews responded to Mercer Street and Fairview Avenue at around 3:30 p.m., NBC affiliate KING5 of Seattle reported.

The crane fell across a building undergoing construction along Mercer Street, according to the station.

Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan tweeted that there was a “major incident” and asked people to avoid the area. “My thoughts and prayers are with those killed and injured,” she said.

SOURCE: NBC News – Phil Helsel