The operator of the crane that collapsed in New York was involved in another accident in 2008

The Department of Buildings (DOB) identified Chris Van Duyne as the man who operated the crane that caught fire and collapsed in Manhattan, New York. According to The New York Post, the worker was involved in a previous accident in 2008.

The agency reported that Van Duyne's name was not included in the official Manhattan construction documents but it was looking into it.

Van Duyne, 62, and his brother, James, lost their licenses in 2008 as crane operators following an accident that killed a worker. The victim of the incident, which occurred 15 years ago, was Anthony Esposito, 43. He was working on a moving walkway linking the crane to the Silver Towers. He was helping the Van Duyne brothers dismantle the crane when he lost his balance, collapsed and died. "Esposito had been wearing a harness, but it was not hooked up," according to The New York Post.

The Van Duyne brothers agreed to pay fines of $25,000 each for their fault in the incident. They also had to complete training hours at the DOB. Chris Van Duyne lost his Class B hoisting machine license for eight months, which allows operators to operate any crane in the city. His brother's license was suspended for six months.

The fire and subsequent crash onto a public roadway shocked New Yorkers. Twelve people were injured, including three firefighters and the surrounding buildings were evacuated.

The NYPD explained that the crane was working at a property under construction on 570 10th Avenue when the cab area suddenly caught fire. As a result of the fire, the upper part collapsed, and several parts of it crashed into a building in front of it before crashing to the ground.