NYC Crane Collapse Victim Was Harvard-Educated Immigrant

NEW YORK (AP) — Family of the man crushed to death when a crane collapsed on his car say he was a Harvard-educated immigrant who worked tirelessly to succeed in life.

Lisa Guttman told The Associated Press on Friday her brother-in-law David Wichs was "the most brilliant person ever."

She says Wichs was born in Prague, immigrated to the U.S. as a teenager and took every opportunity he could, graduating with a degree in mathematics from Harvard University.

More Coverage Of The Crane Collapse From CBS New York

Officials say he was killed in Lower Manhattan while sitting in his car when a giant crane collapsed as workers were lowering it amid a snow squall.

Guttman says Wichs worked at the New York-based computerized financial trading firm Tower Research Capital.

A company representative didn't immediately return a message seeking comment.

Guttman called Wichs "the most special person ever."

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