Funeral held for crane collapse victim

UPPER EAST SIDE 120-apartments are being re-opened.

But it could be several weeks, or even months, before people living in 40-corner apartments will be allowed to return.

Those apartments took a direct hit from the crane last week.

Meantime, one of the men who lost his life in the accident is being laid to rest on Staten Island today.

Police stopped traffic as family and friends mourning the loss of Donald Leo followed his casket from the funeral home across the street to the church.

Bells tolled as pallbearers slowly carried Donald Leo's casket across New Dorp Lane to Our Lady of Peace church. His family and fiancee followed close behind.

Leo was just a few weeks away from getting married when the crane he was operating collapsed on Friday killing him and another construction worker on east 91st street.

The accident is still under investigation by several agencies, the New York District Attorney among them.

In preliminary reports, it appears that investigators think the problems may have caused by a cracked turntable a key part designed to swivel at the top of the cranes tower.

On Friday, the top of the crane broke off the tower, falling and killing the two men.

Donald Leo's fiancee eulogized him this morning saying they met six years ago, their chemistry was dynamic, they were so excited to start a family together.

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