Four workers injured after rebar gives way in SR 99 tunnel wall collapse
Feb 12, 2015, 2:03 PM | Updated: Feb 13, 2015, 8:44 am
The north end of SR 99 became a rescue point when four workers fell about 25 feet after an elevator collapse just before 2 p.m. on Thursday. (Libby Denkmann/KIRO Radio)
(Libby Denkmann/KIRO Radio)
One worker remains in serious but stable condition Friday in the intensive care unit after falling while working on the SR 99 tunnel project.
Four people were injured after falling about 25 feet at the north end of the tunnel project Thursday just after 2 p.m.
The Seattle Fire Department responded to reports that four workers fell down an elevator shaft at the construction site.
Workers were attached to a concrete wall at the project site when the rebar they were working on gave way.
Seattle Fire spokesman Kyle Moore said two Seattle firefighters walked about a half mile into the tunnel and carried out one of the injured men while the four others walked out.
One person was lifted out of the construction pit with a rescue basket.
The four people were transported to Harborview Medical Center for further evaluation. The workers are 23, 31, 36, and 39 years old. None have life-threatening injuries, according to a Harborview spokesperson.
The worse injury was a fractured arm; the other injuries included back and neck pain.
The rescue response is located at 301 Aurora Avenue North.
The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries is launching an investigation.
The Washington State Department of Transportation released a statement:
We are still gathering information, but Seattle Tunnel Partners has informed us that an incident has occurred on the SR 99 Tunnel Project job site in the north portal area. Safety is STP’s and WSDOT’s number one priority. Right now, their field crews are focusing on making sure the site is secured. Emergency services were notified immediately and arrived on site after the incident.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
