Worker killed in fall from New York crane

A construction worker has fallen over 120m to his death while lowering a tower crane in New York.

The New York Times reports that the crane had been used to erect a 58-storey building and was being lowered by a team of seven when the accident happened.

Crane rigger Anthony Esposito was on a 6m working platform attached to the crane and according to one investigator, it apparently tilted causing Esposito to lose his footing.

It reports that Esposito was wearing a safety harness, but had apparently detached it shortly before the accident. According to the authorities investigating the accident, the platform appears only to have been secured at two points instead of four.

City officials are reported to have said the crane did not appear to have any structural problems although safety officials are investigating if one of the safety railings on the platform had been removed.

Esposito leaves a wife and three children.