Construction Truck Critically Injures Man Near Mayoral Event

CHINATOWN, NY — A private construction truck struck a man on Canal Street Tuesday morning, critically injuring him mere steps from the building where Mayor Bill de Blasio was meeting with local leaders, authorities said.

The 60-year-old man was crossing Canal Street near Mott Street at about 11:15 a.m. when the green construction truck careened into the man — sending him flying across the pavement, a NYPD spokesman said.

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The accident happened outside of the American Legion Post 1291 where De Blasio met with local leaders Tuesday morning to discuss the city's vision to expand the Manhattan Detention Complex, which under current plans is slated to triple in size and may rise to more than 50 stories.

The mayor's security detail rushed to the victim's aid, a press secretary for the mayor tweeted.

"The pedestrian is heading to the hospital in critical condition," wrote Eric Phillips on Twitter.

"Members of the mayor’s security detail were among the first to respond, one applying a tourniquet to the man’s arm."

First responders rushed the victim to Bellevue Hospital in critical condition. The driver of the truck remained on the scene and no charges were immediately filed, authorities said.

A police investigation is ongoing.

Photo courtesy of Renee Schiavone/Patch