UPDATED June 21, 10:55 a.m.
Firefighters frantically worked to remove three workers who were trapped following a construction accident at an Astoria home on Tuesday afternoon.
According to CBS New York, the three workers were injured after a crane boom dropped its heavy load onto a home on 28th Street near 31st Avenue at about 3:30 p.m. on June 20. The structure is in the midst of a renovation.
During a press conference at the site, Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro said that a crane was moving an array of building materials when they suddenly dropped, trapping the workers.
“One individual with serious injuries had removed himself from the building,” Nigro said. “Another was trapped, and was removed earlier in the operation. A third construction worker was trapped under a few thousand pounds of materials in the basement of the building.”
Numerous Fire Department units rushed to the scene, including members of Rescue Company 4 in Woodside and FDNY EMS Station 8. Nigro said the paramedics worked quickly to bring emergency medicine to the trapped individuals as other firefighters dug through a ton of fallen material to free them.
“Our job was to keep the patient comfortable, pain free, and alive through the rescue operation process. Everyone did a great job and did what they’re supposed to do. That’s what made this operation a success. Our training kicks in,” said FDNY Rescue Paramedic Juan Henriquez of Station 8 in remarks posted on the FDNY Facebook account.
The three injured workers were removed to Elmhurst Hospital; according to the FDNY Twitter account, at least one of them is in critical condition, and another is in serious condition.
The incident is under investigation.
