1 Injured In Construction Accident On Campus Of Temple University
By Steve Beck, Ian Bush, Kelly Hessedal
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A worker was injured during a collapse at a construction site on the campus of Temple University Thursday afternoon.
The incident was first reported at about 1:15 p.m. in the 1200 block of Polett Walk in North Philadelphia.
Chopper 3 HD was over the scene where it appeared a steel beam of a floor that was under construction collapsed.
"This was a very serious situation," said Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers.
A Temple spokesman said engineers believe a connector on the fifth floor of this seven-story building failed causing a steel beam to split from the structure and land on the floor below.
Authorities say a construction worker suffered a leg injury and was taken to Temple University Hospital where he is listed in stable condition. A total of six workers were near the beam when it gave way.
Nothing dropped to the street and surrounding school buildings will stay open, but state inspectors and federal officials will be taking a close look at the rest of what will be the Science Education and Research Center which is supposed to open in late 2014.
The company responsible for the construction of the building said Thursday evening that the site will be shut down through at least Monday and traffic in front of the building will be diverted.
