Fort Worth Scaffolding Collapse Leaves Worker Hanging On To Building; Debris Injures Pedestrian
FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM) - Three people were injured, one critically after a scaffolding and construction elevator accident in downtown Fort Worth.
Fort Worth Fire Department spokesman Mike Drivdahl says it appears a construction elevator on the outside of a building partially collapsed around midday Wednesday.
A witness told told CBS 11 News that the critically injured person was struck by debris. She was wearing business attire, the witness said and seemed to be in a hurry. The woman was taken away on a stretcher by firefighters.
No word on her condition.
Another witness who walking near the building when the scaffolding fell talked about how loud it was.
"It almost looked like when it fell, it almost looked like a slinky coming down. You know what I mean? It just kinda curved like that? And then there was a big cloud of smoke that came out when it all hit the ground," described Justin Rhodes.
A bystander took images and video of a construction worker holding on to the side of the building, six stories up. The worker, who still had his safety gear on was not injured.
The third person who was hurt, was also treated and released.
It happened at 200 West 7th Street in a busy pedestrian area in front of the building next to Uno's Pizza.
Another witness near the scene tweeted: "Just Just heard a loud boom outside @RenHotels in downtown FW. 50 and 10 on the scene. Appears to be partial building collapse. Bricks littered the street. Pray nobody was seriously injured."
The building, which is part of Sundance Square, is in the middle of a $24,000,000 renovation. Crews are replacing the facade and no one lives there right now.
Fort Worth police blocked off several nearby streets following the accident.
