Huge Crane Topples at DC's National Cathedral; Was Used to Repair Damage from Aug. 23 Quake

The Ethics Daily website reports today (September 8, 2011) that a 500-foot crane toppled over next to the Washington National Cathedral yesterday, adding to the earthquake damage that the crane was brought in to fix.

The 500-ton crane crushed several cars and took part of the roof of the Herb Cottage -- a small building adjacent to the cathedral. No one was injured.

Before it fell, an operator was using the crane to raise materials to the church roof, where engineers are removing debris and stabilizing structures damaged by an earthquake that rocked the East Coast on August 23.

The cathedral's spires, flying buttresses, and other structures suffered considerable damage during the quake. Repairs are expected to take years to complete and to cost millions of dollars.