29-year-old woman dead, 5 injured after construction crane crashes into Dallas building

DALLAS — A construction crane collapsed into an apartment building in downtown Dallas Sunday afternoon amid severe weather, killing one woman and injuring five others, according to news reports.

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Update 1:40 p.m. EDT June 10: The woman killed in Sunday's crane collapse has been identified as Kiersten Symone Smith, 29, according to The Dallas Morning News. Authorities said five other people were also injured in the incident.

Officials with the Dallas Fire-Rescue Department said Monday that authorities continued to escort residents of the Elan City Lights building in and out of the property to retrieve their possessions.

The falling crane tore a large gash into the east side building and destroyed much of an adjacent parking garage. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating.

A representative of the crane's operator, California-based Bigge Crane and Rigging Company, said in a statement obtained by the Morning News that the company is cooperating with investigating officials.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with those directly impacted by this incident, their families and loved ones, and with those who suffered property damage," Bigge Crane and Rigging Company representative Randy Smith said.

Original report: The crane, pushed over by strong winds, crashed into the 5-story Elan City Lights apartment complex as high winds  whipped through the area Sunday afternoon, KXAS-TV reported.

Dallas Fire-Rescue spokesman Jason Evans told the Dallas Morning News that the crane toppled into the building, ripping a large hole in the side, according to The Associated Press. It also damaged an adjacent parking garage and some of the vehicles in it.

One woman was found dead after rescue crews searched the damaged building.

Some of the victims in the accident were taken to Parkland Hospital and others to Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas Fire-Rescue officials said.

Of the five victims, two were in critically injured, KXAS reported.

The accident happened during a severe thunder storm watch in the greater Dallas/Fort Worth area.

Nearby residents captured video of the moment the crane collapsed.

High winds also damaged a hangar door and a section of the roof at a Southwest Airlines maintenance facility at Dallas Love Field, WFAA-TV reported.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Cox Media Group