1 dead, multiple injured in parking garage collapse in Lower Manhattan
A parking garage next to a Pace University building partially collapsed in Lower Manhattan on Tuesday afternoon leaving at least one person dead, five others injured and crushing cars as concrete floors fell on top of each other one after another, all the way to the basement.
Officials said at least six parking garage workers were pulled from the garage. One person was pronounced dead on the scene, five others were injured. Fortunately, four are in stable condition and one refused medical treatment.
One worker was trapped on an upper floor, conscious and alert, calling for firefighters. He was rescued and taken to another building and after the workers were removed, firefighters were pulled out.
Another fell with the floor from the second floor to the first and walked away, while one worker was in an elevator and was shielded from flying debris, according to sources
“We deployed our robot dog into the building they were able to give us a video inside and then we’re able to fly drones inside to conduct an assessment and conduct searches,” FDNY Chief of Operations John Esposito said.
The building is located at 57 Ann Street between Nassau Street and William Street.
Officials evacuated the university building that is next to the garage that collapsed.
“We heard a really big boom, like something out of the ordinary it was just a really loud noise like something exploded,” Gabriel Yahoudaief said. “I saw people running out quickly from the scene, it was insane. Everyone was scared. Everyone thought that was their last time being alive.”
The upper levels of the three-story building collapsed around 4:15 p.m., sending cars crashing down onto the levels below.
Officials said they have no reason to believe anyone is still inside but said they would continue to conduct searches with the robot dogs.