NEW YORK-- The top section of a high-rise under construction collapsed into itself in SoHo Monday afternoon, killing one construction worker.
Authorities say the worker fell about 30 feet at the 46-story building under construction, the Trump SoHo at 246 Spring Street, at about 1:52 p.m.
The worker was pronounced dead at the scene.
Officials say a second construction worker was injured, and was being taken to an area hospital. The extent of the injuries were not immediately known.
Initial reports were that a crane hit the two construction workers, knocking them off balance.
Varick Street was closed between Van Dam and Broome streets, one of the approaches into the Holland Tunnel, promising to cause delays for the afternoon commute.
Sixth Avenue was also closed between Spring and Broome streets for staging.
Inspectors from the Buildings Department, along with numerous other city agencies, responded to the scene.
The high rise has been a persistent source of controversy in the neighborhood, west of SoHo. It was targeted by protestors, who claim the condominium hotel flagrantly violates zoning by selling homes in a commercial building.
To allow the construction in a commercial district, owners will be allowed to live in those apartments for only 120 days in the year, or 29 days out of any consecutive 36 days. When not living there, owners can rent out their apartments.
The building is slated to include 400 apartments priced at more than $3,000 per square foot. Those apartments will from 425 square-foot studios to suites of more than 10,000 square feet.
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