Deadly crane accident in Midtown East

MIDTOWN EAST (WABC) -- One person has been killed in a crane accident at a Midtown East construction site, officials say.

The accident happened at the future home of The Even Hotel on East 44th Street at 2nd Avenue.

Authorities say 40-year-old Trevor Loftus of Yonkers was killed checking out a malfunctioning crane boom, which was on a flatbed truck parked in front of the construction site.

The mechanical problem was with the boom arm of the crane. When Loftus went to check it out, the arm collapsed onto him. He was pinned and pronounced dead at the scene.

Loftus, an Irish immigrant from Limerick, was owner of Kenry Contracting in Yonkers, officials said. He was married with two children.

East 44 Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenue remained closed for several hours as officials carried out their investigation.