Multiple workers were injured, including one that sustained life-threatening injuries when a wall collapsed and landed on his legs and lower body, at a historic power plant under redevelopment in South Boston. Boston officials said a large piece of flooring collapsed at about 1:40 p.m. Wendesday at 776 Summer St., the address for the old Edison Power Plant. Police officers, firefighters, Emergency Medical Services personnel and technical rescue teams responded to the scene.The company responsible for the deconstruction of the former Edison Power Plant, Suffolk Construction, said a catwalk in the century-old building collapsed, leaving three workers injured.Boston Fire Commissioner Jack Dempsey said two injured workers who suffered non-life-threatening injuries were immediately removed from the building and transported to an area hospital by Boston EMS.A third worker, however, was entrapped when a falling wall landed on his legs and lower body. A surgical team responded to the scene because that worker’s injuries were considered to be life-threatening.The worker was eventually freed from the rubble and taken out of the building by first responders at about 5:10 p.m., approximately three and a half hours after the collapse happened, according to Dempsey.”We wanted a surgeon in there to make sure we got him out as quickly and safely as possible,” Dempsey said. “It is a near-miracle that our third person was able to be transported to the hospital safely, and we are sending every prayer for a quick stabilization and recovery,” Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said. “For my part, I’m angry that we’re here again at another work site with another major incident.”Officials from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) also responded to the scene.”We knew something was going to happen. We knew something was going to happen with the age of the building,” said Joe Cappuccio, chair of the Friends of South Boston Green Space. “I just don’t understand how the engineers can approve this demolition and then, all of a sudden, a floor collapses.”The Edison Power Plant, also known as the L Street Power Plant, is located down the road from Castle Island and just across from Black Falcon Pier. The building, which was built in 1898, has been vacant for about 15 years.According to the Boston Planning & Development Agency, the power plant was sold to Redgate/Hilco by the Exelon Corporation. Crews recently started demolition to make way for a new mixed-use complex.Redgate/Hilco proposed to develop approximately 15 acres of land located at 776 Summer St. with approximately 610,000 square feet of residential use, approximately 860,000 square feet of office/research and development uses approximately 80,000 square feet of retail uses, approximately 115,000 square feet of hotel use and more than 1,200 parking spaces.The proposal will preserve several historic buildings on the site and provide 5.7 acres of new public open space, according to the Boston Planning & Development Agency.”Our thoughts are with the individuals who were injured, along with their families. We are currently on site working closely with OSHA, our subcontractor and the local authorities to determine the cause of this incident and confirm the safety of the site,” reads a statement from Suffolk Construction representatives. “Safety on our jobsites continues to be our number one priority and we will continue to do whatever it takes to ensure our workers return home safely at the end of every work day.””The safety of the workers on site and in the surrounding areas is our top priority. We are thankful for the swift response from Boston emergency services,” a spokesperson for Hilco Redevelopment Partners said in a statement. “As members of the South Boston community, we, along with our contractor, will work with all local authorities to address the situation and keep the community up to date on developments.”Wednesday’s collapse marks the second collapse at a Boston construction site this year. A demolition worker, 51-year-old Peter Monsini, of South Easton, died March 26 during a partial collapse at the Government Center parking garage.”It’s just like in downtown Boston. Something is wrong here. Is anybody taking care of the worker?” Cappuccio said.It is still not clear what led to the catwalk to collapse inside the old Edison Power Plant.
Multiple workers were injured, including one that sustained life-threatening injuries when a wall collapsed and landed on his legs and lower body, at a historic power plant under redevelopment in South Boston.
Boston officials said a large piece of flooring collapsed at about 1:40 p.m. Wendesday at 776 Summer St., the address for the old Edison Power Plant. Police officers, firefighters, Emergency Medical Services personnel and technical rescue teams responded to the scene.
The company responsible for the deconstruction of the former Edison Power Plant, Suffolk Construction, said a catwalk in the century-old building collapsed, leaving three workers injured.
Boston Fire Commissioner Jack Dempsey said two injured workers who suffered non-life-threatening injuries were immediately removed from the building and transported to an area hospital by Boston EMS.
A third worker, however, was entrapped when a falling wall landed on his legs and lower body. A surgical team responded to the scene because that worker’s injuries were considered to be life-threatening.
The worker was eventually freed from the rubble and taken out of the building by first responders at about 5:10 p.m., approximately three and a half hours after the collapse happened, according to Dempsey.
“We wanted a surgeon in there to make sure we got him out as quickly and safely as possible,” Dempsey said.
“It is a near-miracle that our third person was able to be transported to the hospital safely, and we are sending every prayer for a quick stabilization and recovery,” Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said. “For my part, I’m angry that we’re here again at another work site with another major incident.”
Officials from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) also responded to the scene.
“We knew something was going to happen. We knew something was going to happen with the age of the building,” said Joe Cappuccio, chair of the Friends of South Boston Green Space. “I just don’t understand how the engineers can approve this demolition and then, all of a sudden, a floor collapses.”
The Edison Power Plant, also known as the L Street Power Plant, is located down the road from Castle Island and just across from Black Falcon Pier. The building, which was built in 1898, has been vacant for about 15 years.
According to the Boston Planning & Development Agency, the power plant was sold to Redgate/Hilco by the Exelon Corporation. Crews recently started demolition to make way for a new mixed-use complex.
Redgate/Hilco proposed to develop approximately 15 acres of land located at 776 Summer St. with approximately 610,000 square feet of residential use, approximately 860,000 square feet of office/research and development uses approximately 80,000 square feet of retail uses, approximately 115,000 square feet of hotel use and more than 1,200 parking spaces.
The proposal will preserve several historic buildings on the site and provide 5.7 acres of new public open space, according to the Boston Planning & Development Agency.
“Our thoughts are with the individuals who were injured, along with their families. We are currently on site working closely with OSHA, our subcontractor and the local authorities to determine the cause of this incident and confirm the safety of the site,” reads a statement from Suffolk Construction representatives. “Safety on our jobsites continues to be our number one priority and we will continue to do whatever it takes to ensure our workers return home safely at the end of every work day.”
“The safety of the workers on site and in the surrounding areas is our top priority. We are thankful for the swift response from Boston emergency services,” a spokesperson for Hilco Redevelopment Partners said in a statement. “As members of the South Boston community, we, along with our contractor, will work with all local authorities to address the situation and keep the community up to date on developments.”
Wednesday’s collapse marks the second collapse at a Boston construction site this year. A demolition worker, 51-year-old Peter Monsini, of South Easton, died March 26 during a partial collapse at the Government Center parking garage.
“It’s just like in downtown Boston. Something is wrong here. Is anybody taking care of the worker?” Cappuccio said.
It is still not clear what led to the catwalk to collapse inside the old Edison Power Plant.