Construction Worker Falls Down Elevator Shaft

A construction worker was rescued by firefighters on Thursday morning after he fell down an elevator shaft at the site of a new courthouse under construction in St. George, New York.

The man was working in the elevator shaft on the sixth floor of the structure when he fell to the fifth floor. His injuries weren’t life-threatening, but law enforcement sources said the worker, who is believed to be in his 60s, might have suffered a broken ankle and/or arm in the incident. "He (the worker) fell onto some duct work (in the elevator shaft on the fifth floor), which supported his body weight and prevented him from falling the length of the whole shaft,” Division 8 Deputy Chief Richard Howe explained to SiLive.com.

A firefighter was lowered into the shaft to secure the injured worker, who was then lowered out of the elevator through the fourth floor shaft. Thirty firefighters from Rescue 5, Squad 1, and Ladders 77, 78 and 80 responded to take part in the 45-minute rescue effort, SiLive.com reported.

"This was a technical rescue utilizing a high point anchor and ropes. They went above him in the shaft and roped off the column of the building, that becomes the anchor... they connected a pulley system to go down into the shaft," Howe told SiLive.com, adding that "it wasn't an easy job and they (firefighters) did an outstanding job.”

Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) spokesman John D. Chirlin said in a statement: "This morning there was an accident involving a worker at the Staten Island courthouse construction site. The appropriate city and federal authorities were notified, and DASNY has commenced its own investigation. It is premature to comment further at this time." DASNY has been overseeing the new courthouse construction.

Investigation In Progress

The Avenel, N.J., area office of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is investigating whether any workplace safety hazards contributed to the incident, according to SiLive.com.