3 construction workers killed in downtown Raleigh scaffolding collapse
RALEIGH, N.C. -- Three construction workers were killed Monday when scaffolding collapsed at a construction site in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina.
The accident happened around 11 a.m. when the construction platform fell from high up on the Charter Square building in the 500 block of Fayetteville Street.
One more worker was hurt. It was not clear how seriously.
RAW VIDEO: Construction accident
Pictures from Chopper 11 HD showed broken pieces of scaffolding on the ground and a piece of the structure where the scaffolding had been anchored to the side of the building remained sticking out horizontally.
RAW VIDEO: Construction accident
An eyewitness told ABC11 the he heard a cracking and popping sound and saw the scaffolding give way and crash to the ground.
"You saw it buckle and then collapse," said Dean MacArthur.
A website for Charter Square says it is an 11-story building offering office space at Lenoir and Fayetteville streets adjacent to Duke Energy Performing Arts Center, Raleigh Convention Center and the Raleigh Marriott City Center. The $54 million building is set to open in May.
Choate, the contractor on the project, said the scaffolding was a "mast climber" design, which is a platform that goes up the side of a building on a vertical column. It was in the process of being lowered when it came down.
"We are deeply saddened by the loss of life and injuries suffered during this incident. Our first and primary concern is for these personnel and their families. We request your thoughts and prayers at this time," read the statement.
The company said a full investigation into how it happened is underway. State and federal construction accident investigators were seen at the accident site.
The City of Raleigh said in a news release that it does not inspect scaffolding systems at construction sites. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of North Carolina, the N.C. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Division has up to six months from the date of an accident to issue citations if any violations of the act are found.
"It's entirely too early to say what happened," said Jeff Hammerstein with Wake County Emergency Medical Services.
