Window Washers Rescued After Wind Sends Rig Swinging at Manhattan High-Rise
The Incident
A pair of unsecured window washers had the fright of their lives on Friday when the wind seized their scaffold, sending it twisting and turning almost eight stories up – and smashing into the luxury Manhattan high-rise they were cleaning.
The Accident
The two workers were on a scaffold outside the 78th floor of 25 Columbus Circle when their rig started swinging wildly out of control. It slammed into an apartment window. Chunks of broken glass rained down onto 58th Street between Eighth and Ninth Avenues, though no injuries were reported. The area was blocked off for some time.
Dramatic Video Footage
Video posted to the Citizen app showed the scaffold twisting in the air.
Rescue Efforts
According to the FDNY, rescue workers were able to haul the scaffold close enough to the building to rescue the window washers. Both were taken to a hospital as a precaution and both are expected to be OK. It’s not clear why they weren’t secured at the time of the incident.
Investigation
The Department of Buildings is also investigating.
Conclusion
The incident highlights the importance of proper safety measures and regulations in place for window washing and other high-rise construction activities. The Department of Buildings’ investigation will help determine what went wrong and how to prevent similar incidents in the future.
FAQs
- What happened to the window washers?
The window washers were sent into a terrifying ordeal when the wind seized their scaffold, sending it swinging wildly out of control. - Were there any injuries reported?
No, there were no reported injuries. - What is being done to investigate the incident?
The Department of Buildings is investigating the incident to determine what went wrong and how to prevent similar incidents in the future.
