3 Construction Workers Hospitalized After House Damaged By Sandy Collapses
LITTLE EGG HARBOR Twp., N.J., (CBS) – Three construction workers were hospitalized after a home damaged by Hurricane Sandy collapsed Wednesday.
The incident happened at about 5 p.m. at the unit block of Kansas Road in Little Egg Harbor Township.
Witnesses tell Eyewitness News the home was about 12 feet in the air when workers all started running out, and moments later, the home came crashing down.
"All of a sudden, I heard a shout," said eyewitness Rosalie Bloys. "I heard somebody shout and the guy that was on that scaffold jumped off, and a couple of other guys ran out. And the first thing you know, two seconds later, down came the house."
Bloys lives across the street and has been watching workers lift the home for days. She says they were almost done when she heard a scream.
"It sounded like a shout of warning. That's when everybody jumped off and ran," she said.
Police say workers heard a crack and told everyone to evacuate. Three workers inside the house were able to escape the collapse. One had to be flown to Atlantic City Medical Center with neck and back trauma.
Chopper 3 HD was over the scene as rescue crews responded.
Neighbors tell Eyewitness News the home was damaged after Hurricane Sandy and the owner was raising it as part of the renovations required by FEMA.
On hard hit Osbourne Island, many are still trying to recover, but for this family it's now back to square one.
"He's been here a long time, been here almost as long as I have," said Bloys.
Police say the three workers are in stable condition.
Both OSHA and the Buildings Department were out on scene earlier Wednesday.
The incident remains under investigation.
