Man Dies When Crane Hoisting Church Steeple Collapses

July 24, 2008 9:24 p.m. EST

Oklahoma City, OK (AHN) - A 79-year-old man watching the construction of a church here from inside his car died when a crane hoisting a steeple collapsed and crashed on him Thursday.

Winfred Stafford of Oklahoma City was crushed in the front seat of his Toyota Avalon in the parking lot of the new Grace Assembly of God church.

The victim's 78-yea-old wife, Charlyne, who was in the back seat, was not hurt but had to be cut out from the car lby firefighters. The driver of the crane also was not hurt.

The crane had lifted the steeple 10 feet off the ground when it started to tip, according to Pastor John Hancock, who was taking photos at the back of the church. The crane began lowering the steeple and suddenly flipped over, he said.

The crane's owner is Barnhart Crane and Rigging. Company officials and government authorities will investigate the cause of the accident.