WASHINGTON, July 24 (Xinhua) -- A 80-year-old man was killed as a crane toppled on his car on Thursday morning in the U.S. state of Oklahoma, a local report said.

    According to the KOCO 5 TV report, the tragedy occurred as the crane was holding a church steeple at the newly-constructed South Pointe church in Oklahoma city.

    The victim, Winfred Stafford, who was watching the ceremony from inside of his car, died on the spot, and his 78-year-old wife survived in hospital, said the report.

    Witnesses told the TV that she was able to get out of the car when people gathering at the ceremony were shouting for the couple to escape, while her husband was in the front seat and unable to get out in time.

    The Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the state Labor Department were to investigate, it added.

    There have been several deadly crane accidents around the U.S. this year, including one in Houston, Texas, last week that killed four contract workers and injured seven others.

    Such deaths have also occurred in New York, Miami and Las Vegas.