NEW YORK, Oct 17 (Reuters) - A crane slammed its load into the side of a signature skyscraper under construction a block from Times Square on Wednesday, injuring six people, the fire department said.

Shattered glass showered down on Sixth Avenue and 43rd Street in one of the busiest areas of Manhattan, forcing authorities to close several streets.

A worker at the site said the crane dropped a crate from the top of the 51-story Bank of America <BAC.N> tower, which is being billed as one of the most environmentally friendly buildings in the city.

"It fell dozens of stories and crashed through the scaffolding, landing on the sidewalk," said John Guehl, account manager for The Week Magazine, who was having lunch at neighboring Bryant Park.

Bank of America referred inquiries to Tishman Construction Corp, the construction manager. A Tishman spokesman declined immediate comment and said the company would release a statement later on Wednesday.

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