School evacuated after crane collapse

Nick Iannelli, wtop.com

MOUNT VERNON, Va. – Two men are recovering from injuries and an entire school is empty after a crane collapsed near Mount Vernon Tuesday.

The men sustained minor injuries as the crane crashed into the roof of St. Luke’s Day School.

About 90 children and staff members were evacuated and sent home. School director Ann Marie Goggins says she felt that was the safest option for the school.

“I felt the crane shake a little, which it’s not supposed to do,” says crane operator Jim Perkins.

He knew immediately something was wrong and sprang into action as two of his colleagues dangled in a box about 100 feet above the ground, he says.

“I got the guys down as close to the roof as I could, and it started tipping over,” Perkins says.

The workers were preparing to make repairs to the steeple, which soars above the building, when the crane crashed.

The accident remains under investigation by the crane company and Fairfax County fire officials

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