The collapse of a Seattle construction crane in the South Lake Union neighborhood leaves four dead, according to witnesses

Investigators in Seattle are trying to understand what caused a giant construction crane to fall Saturday in one of the liveliest streets of the city. Four people were killed Saturday after the accident and three others were injured.

Downtown Seattle has become a disaster area after the collapse of a crane in the South Lake Union neighborhood. Two of the victims who died were crane operators. Two others, including Sara Wong, a freshman at Seattle Pacific University, were in crushed vehicles. One witness stated that it "looked like an earthquake".

"Bang! Down, she's coming!" Bruce Cashmere is reminded of the incident. He ran for help, finding a very damaged vehicle with a mother and baby inside, somehow unscathed.

"Very very lucky baby, very lucky.This is not a brand, it's good to see," he says.

John Etherington saw it all.

"He started to lean over," he said. "And I say lean, it did not stop, it lasted all the time, but before I recorded it, it actually fell."

James Prichert is a crane expert and security consultant. He says crane accidents occur for various reasons, weather conditions, maintenance, to the operator's mistakes, but overall, the use of the crane is safe. Prichert says that cranes are currently in high demand in US cities. According to the Seattle Times, Seattle has more cranes than any other city.

"I think we have a good record here," said Mayor Jenny Dunkan. "But of course, we will pay special attention to the safety of the cranes that are in Seattle today."

The next 24 to 48 hours are considered to be the most critical, as investigators will look at everything from wind speed to inspection and maintenance to determine exactly what caused this deadly collapse.