Four people die after crane crashes onto Seattle street

A construction crane collapsed on Mercer Street near Interstate 5 in downtown Seattle. Photo / AP

Authorities say four people have died after a construction crane fell onto a street in downtown Seattle.

A spokesman from the Seattle Fire Department tells the Seattle Times that four people were dead by the time firefighters arrived.

Three others were transported to the hospital.

The Seattle Fire Department said on Twitter that five cars were crushed by the crane.

The people who died were two crane operators and two people inside cars.

The crane collapsed on Mercer Street near Interstate 5 shortly before 4 pm local time.

All eastbound and westbound lanes were closed, and motorists were told to avoid the area.

With Amazon and other tech companies increasing their hiring in Seattle, the city has dozens of construction cranes building office towers and apartment buildings.

As of January there were about 60 construction cranes in Seattle, more than any other American city.

-AP