Emergency responders at the site where a 172m-tall crane toppled, stretching along nearly two city blocks in downtown Manhattan, in New York City, on Friday.

The massive construction crane collapsed during a swirling snowstormin the morning. Manhattan resident David Wichs, 38, was killed in the incident, police said.

Three other people had non-life-threatening injuries. The crane's operators were in the process of lowering and securing it amid adverse weather conditions, including heavy snow, when it toppled over, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said.

It was not yet known if wind played a role in the incident. An investigation was under way and the crane operator was being interviewed, Mr de Blasio added.