24.02.2009

Three escape scaffold collapse

Three men working on a façade scaffold had a lucky escape in the Prahran suburb of Melbourne earlier today when it collapsed into the street.

The most serious injuries were sustained by a 24 year old man who was trapped by his legs which left him hanging upside down. While it might have saved his life he did receive neck, arm and leg injuries.
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The fallen scaffold

A 28 year old colleague ‘rode’ the scaffold down four floors but just broke a finger while a 52 year old man jumped clear and sustained chest injuries.

The accident could have been catastrophic had most of those who normally work on the scaffold not been on a tea break.
The falling scaffold also took out power lines, wrecked six cars and severely damaged the overhead Tram lines.

The six storeys of scaffold was erected on the façade of a new hotel/serviced apartment block on Commercial road.