The number of reported crane-related accidents at New York City construction sites rose from 19 in 2006 to 29 in 2007, and crane related injuries increased from three to nine, according to a Daily News investigation published today.

Based on the amount of incidents in the first quarter of this year and the number of crane applications submitted to the Department of Buildings, the trend may continue through 2008.

Before the disastrous crane collapse in Turtle Bay on March 15, there had already been three crane-related incidents—one of which injured a worker—at building sites in the five boroughs. The number of developments that applied for crane permits increased from 707 in 2003 to 931 in 2006, the last year where complete statistics are available.  read more »