A man has suffered back injuries after a multistorey crane collapsed onto the new Sydney Fish Markets construction site.
It is understood the crane crashed onto the harbourside site at Bridge Road in Blackwattle Bay in Glebe about midday on Thursday.
Local business owner Earl White works across the road from the development and said he heard a “massive thump” as the crane collapsed.
A man in his 30s has been treated for back injuries and he has since been transported to hospital.
“It’s a significant collapse,” Mr White said, detailing chaotic scenes as emergency services rush to respond.
A witness told 2GB radio station the crane “sliced right through to the second level with the scaffolding”.
There are a number of ambulances on the scene and photographs from the scene show tradies filtering out of the site.
Police have blocked off roads surrounding the scene and are expected to remain closed for a number of hours while the damage is assessed.
One of two eastbound lanes on Bridge Road near Wentworth Park Road are closed with westbound traffic affected.
Motorists are being urged to take caution if driving in the area.
It will likely cause major traffic delays as peak hour approaches.
The construction company, Multiplex issued a statement last month announcing the “complex installation of three tower cranes above the water on its New Sydney Fish Market site”.
“Using innovative construction methodologies to address the challenges presented by its location in Blackwattle Bay,” the statement said.
The company explained that the installation of the cranes required complex engineering due to the site’s harbourside location and exposure to tidal waters.
At 6,000 square metres, the new Sydney Fish Market is expected to be the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere once construction is complete.
Construction is scheduled to be complete in late 2024.
Multiplex was behind the construction of several iconic waterfront developments in Sydney including Woolloomooloo Wharf, Jones Bay Wharf, Piers 6 and 7 and Luna Park.
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