Workers Rescued From Partially Collapsed Scaffold In Hallandale Beach
MIAMI (CBSMiami) - Two construction workers are safe and sound after a scaffolding accident left them hanging off a building for hours.
"No one was hurt, that's important," said South Ocean condo resident Igor Yaskin. He was among those celebrating the rescue of the two construction workers left dangling for more than an hour when their scaffold collapsed, but luckily there were backup harnesses in place.
"Anytime there is an individual working on a scaffolding-type system they have a secondary harness on, in this particular case both these individuals are being specified by that harmed system that kept them from falling," said Fort Lauderdale Fire and Rescue Assistant Fire Marshal Stephen Gollan.
The incident began around about 3 p.m. when a scaffold the 2 workers were on snapped, leaving them dangling from the 6th floor of a building on the 1900 block of S. Ocean Drive in Hallandale Beach.
The rescue was just as dramatic as the images of them holding on for dear life.
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"The crews on the roof will lower down the individual, we then transfer them over to our equipment and we lower them to the ground. From that point, when one individual is rescued, they'll go back and rescue the second individual," added Gollan.
Chopper 4 was flying above when both of those rescues took place. Images showed rescuers propelling down from the roof and making contact with the worker, then slowly bringing him to the ground. The second worker was brought down using a ladder truck with a bucket shortly after. Those who live in the waterfront condo, who watched the situation unfold, said they are thankful things had a positive ending.
"I heard that the gentleman who was involved in the situation, who said that no one was injured and only equipment was destroyed. It fell, but no one was hurt, that's important," added Yaskin.
Shortly after the rescue, what was left of the scaffold was brought down to the ground.