July 21- Seattle Fire Department Technical Rescue Team extricated a 53-year-old construction worker from a crane cab in the University District.

 Around 9 a.m., a Seattle Police Officer radioed dispatch to report a large chunk of concrete fell ontop of a crane cab at construction site at 40th and Brooklyn in the University District. The 30 foot by 15 foot by 8 inch thick chunk of concrete fell 6 stories and cascaded off the building and landed on the modified extricator cab trapping the operator. The extricator was being used to demolish an old dorm hall at the University of Washington. The chunk of concrete is estimated to weigh somewhere between 35 thousand and 40 thousand pounds.

The Technical Rescue Team used every tool in their belt to extricate the man from the crushed cab. Firefighters used saws, spreaders, axes and ropes to free the injured man. Medics were on scene and the man was conscious alert and breathing. Seattle Firefighters had to cut off the roof of the cab, take out the front window, remove the seat and lower the man onto a backboard.

Medics transported the cosntruction worker to Harborview Medical Center in critical condition with life threatening injuries. He suffered head trauma and injuries to his legs. He was wearing a safety helmet which was cracked by the force of the accident.

Crushed crane on scene. Courtesy of Seattle Fire Department.

 

Former UW dorm building is the venue of this accident. Courtesy of Seattle Fire Department.
Seattle Fire’s Heavy Rescue Team working to free the critically injured crane operator from the cab. Courtesy of Seattle Fire Department.

 

Seattle Firefighters working on scene using every tool they have in their possession. Courtesy of Seattle Fire Department.

Photos and Story Courtesy of Seattle Fire’s Fireline

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