Crane Accident Damages Valley Cottage House

(Updated with pictures and reporting by Robert Heinemann.)

A Valley Cottage house was extensively damaged in a crane accident Wednesday afternoon. No injuries were reported in connection with the accident at 122 Ridge Road. 

Clarkstown Police report the accident occurred around 2:15 p.m. when a crane arm damaged the roof of the house and the crane overturned. The crane operator was treated at the scene by paramedics but refused to be taken to the hospital.  The Clarkstown Building Inspector and Fire Inspector are at the scene conducting an investigation. 

The owner of the home, Mike Ranacelli, said he was having trees removed because he was concerned that one could be knocked over during a storm and damage his home. 

"I've been in construction for over 40 years and unfortunately these things  happen," Ranacelli said. "The guys working could have been killed. You think he wanted to almost get killed? Of course not. It broke the beams above the master bedroom. The building inspector is here. The structure looks pretty safe but we are waiting to see what he thinks and if we can stay in the other end of the house."