Worker, Firefighter Injured During Construction Accident In Philadelphia

By: Steve Tawa

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Officials say a construction worker and firefighter were injured during a construction accident Thursday.

The incident occurred just before 2 p.m. at JFK Boulevard and North 19th Street in Philadelphia.

According to officials, a 54-year-old construction worker fell 20 feet and was rushed to Hahnemann University Hospital in critical condition.

Police confirm that a firefighter suffered a head injury and was also taken to Hahnemann. He is in stable condition.

Jay, a worker across the street at the Byers Charter School, saw them use an on-site crane to lift the injured construction worker out, with two firefighters inside a bucket tending to the injured worker.

"They brought him out in a bucket, they brought him up to the surface, put him on a gurney and brought him to the ambulance," said Jay.

While that was going on, Jay saw a firefighter collapse just as he ran to the perimeter of the site along Arch Street.

"He fell and smashed his head. They cut his jacket and stuff off, gave him an IV, and when they brought him into the ambulance, he looked purple."

Once emergency responders took care of the injured, construction teams, OSHA investigators and L&I inspectors surveyed the site.