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.

Crane Collapses In Lower Manhattan — NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 05: Emergency workers converge at the scene of a collapsed crane in a roadway in lower Manhattan Friday morning on February 5, 2016 in New York City. The accident killed at least one person and seriously injured two according to the New York City Fire Department. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

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."