Updated 01/08/2013 10:42 PM
Ceiling Collapse In Historic Murray Hill Building Injures Three Workers
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Fire officials say three male workers were injured Tuesday afternoon in a construction accident in the Murray Hill section of Manhattan.
The accident took place around 1:40 p.m. on the third floor of the former Touro College building at 160 Lexington Avenue and 30th Street, where renovations were taking place, according to fire officials.
Investigators at the scene say the workers were positioned on a scaffolding on the third floor when the ceiling above them gave way.
Fire officials say they had to bring in a special unit to help free one of the workers who was trapped under the debris.
All of the injured men were taken to NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center. According to fire officials, the worker trapped under debris was in serious condition, another worker had a serious head wound and the third man had minor injuries.
"A section of ceiling coming down like that, probably about 15, 20 pounds per square foot, 20-by-20 section, that's a lot of weight," said FDNY Chief Christopher Boyle. "I think we were lucky that it didn't pancake and take down the second floor with it."
The Department of Buildings is looking into the cause of the collapse.