Construction worker injured after lift falls at Brickell City Centre

Victim taken to JMH in serious condition

MIAMI ā€“ A construction worker was rushed to the hospital Wednesday morning after an accordion lift he was on toppled over at Brickell City Centre.

Miami Fire Rescue officials said they responded to the building about 8:40 a.m. and found the victim, who is in his 40s, on the third level of the construction site.

According to authorities, the lift was about 14 or 15 feet in the air when it fell over, for reasons still unclear at this point. Authorities said the worker was spraying fire retardant foam on the ceiling when the lift fell.

The victim's brother, who was also working at the building, rushed to his brother's aid and attempted to cut off the worker's harness, which prevented him from getting ejected from the lift.

During that process, the brother suffered a few lacerations and was taken to Mercy Hospital to be treated.

Fire officials said the victim whose lift fell suffered severe facial lacerations and what they believe to be possible internal injuries.

He was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital in serious condition.

Miami homicide investigators were also at the scene to determine whether proper protocol was followed and whether the incident could have been prevented. Police also interviewed some witnesses and workers who were at the construction site when the incident occurred.

Authorities said wind may have caused the lift to topple over, but said they aren't entirely sure just yet.

Just last month, a 25-year-old construction worker was injured after a wall of rebar fell on him while he was working on the 29th floor of the same building.

In that incident, firefighters stabilized the man in a basket and used a crane to lower him to the ground.

The worker was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital in stable condition and is doing fine.

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About the Authors:

Liane Morejon is an Emmy-winning reporter who joined the Local 10 News family in January 2010. Born and raised in Coral Gables, Liane has a unique perspective on covering news in her own backyard.

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.