Portion of Stage Collapses on Supreme Court Justice

[southerngale]

Click on the link below and there's a video link on the right. Watch it...it's unreal. Very close call...could have been much worse. :o

http://wcco.com/topstories/topstories_story_185130946.html


PHILADELPHIA (CBS) There were some frightening moments during Friday morning's dedication ceremonies at the Philadelphia National Constitution Center, when a large piece of the stage frame came crashing down, just narrowly missing Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. Several people, including Mayor John Street, were hit.

To a 1-2-3 countdown by Justice O'Connor, various people on the stage were pulling on some ribbons to reveal artwork, when a large piece landed just feet from the guest of honor. Secret Service agents rushed onto the stage to make sure O'Connor was not hurt.

She was not hit but was heard through an open microphone saying "we could all have been killed."

The center's president, Joe Torsella, was hit in the head by the falling piece. Mayor John Street and Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter were both hit in the arm. A naturalization worker was also taken to the hospital.

Governor Ed Rendell told our sister station KYW-TV, "I saw it coming and I was able to take a step back. So I didn't get hit. It was only the people in the front row, who were in danger. And as a result, a lot of public officials got hit. The Mayor got hit in the arm. He's at Jefferson. He wasn't in any real pain but just for precaution. Senator Specter got hit in the arm. I don't think he went to the hospital."

None of the injuries were serious.

[ColdFront77]

Interesting story. I haven't heard anything about this yet... Fox News Channel was on in the other room until recently, too.

[southerngale]

Fox News covered it Tom. I'm sure all the stations covered it.

[ColdFront77]

It must not of been on when I was able to hear and/or see it. I am sure all the stations, even local affiliates will at least mention it.

[breeze]

I saw the videotape on MSNBC....definetely could
have been a hairier scenario!

[Lindaloo]

Hmmmm... maybe someone is trying to tell those justices something? lol.

[Colin]

That was VERY close! :o Thank God it didn't hit her...

[Stephanie]

Yep, only in Philadelphia...

I saw it on the news last night. They have all sorts of agencies looking into it to make sure it wasn't sabotage. You can't help but think it, but I think it was probably someone in the #@$%^& Carpenter's Union that forgot to bolt it down.

[JetMaxx]

Thank goodness no one was killed....that was scary!!

I lost a good buddy from high school in an accident similar to that at a construction site about 15 years ago

PW

[ColdFront77]

I saw this a few hours after this thread was created, Friday afternoon. Do you think a piece of wood that weight and size could actualy kill someone?

[southerngale]

Yes, especially if it landed directly on their head.

[ColdFront77]

True, the speed of something that large and heavy could possibly kill someone. It is hard to judge, hence the reason why I asked the question. Shouldn't of asked (so soon).

[Stephanie]

Per the Philadelphia Inquirer today, the board wasn't bolted and the frame itself wasn't secured to the floor - sandbags held it in place!!!. Not only that, it wasn't inspected either!

It also wasn't put together by the Carpenter's Union, but by a union that specializes in stage decorations. Next, there will be a union for bathroom toiletries!

Since it's considered a "Federal Building", the local Licenses & Inspections department (which is totally inept anyway) wasn't responsible for inspecting it. This is going to play out for months and years folks as finger-pointing fiasco!