20.10.2015

Suspended platform plunge

Two window cleaners working from a suspended platform on the top floor of a 12 storey building in Sydney, Australia, this morning were seriously injured when their platform plunged around 30 metres to land on the concrete awning over the building's entrance.
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The building - you can see the two hoist motors on the top ridge, along with the two hoist cables

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Rescuers treat the man who remained in the platform

The freefall drop was blamed on a snapped cable, however it looks as though both hoist lines were still attached indicating a brake and safety back up failure.

One man managed to remain in the platform when it landed on the awning, while the other was thrown clear and was left dangling from his harness around two metres above the street.
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A large fire rescue platform was brought into action

The man in the platform suffered serious leg injuries, while the man in the harness was reported to be in more critical condition, with internal injuries. One is in his 50s and the other in his 20s, both are said to be in a stable condition.

The man on top of the awning was strapped to a stretcher board and brought down with a fire rescue platform.
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The man strapped to a stretcher is lifted to the ground on the platforms extension