Construction worker struck in head by machinery on 49th floor of building

City of Miami Fire Rescue TRT lowers victim to ground using crane

MIAMI – A construction worker was struck in the head by some kind of machinery while working on a high-rise building in Miami, authorities said.

The incident was reported Monday afternoon at 1010 Brickell Ave.

City of Miami Fire Rescue Capt. Ignatius Carroll said the construction accident happened on the 49th floor of the building.

Authorities said the equipment apparently malfunctioned and knocked out the worker. 

According to Carroll, firefighters from the technical rescue team had to lower the victim to the ground using a crane because of the incompleteness of several floors.

"When the first paramedics arrived, they recognized that this building is still under construction and it was going to be difficult for us to reach him, because several of the floors below him were still under renovation," Carroll said. 

Authorities said it took about 15 minutes for the unconscious worker to be lowered down and placed into an ambulance.  

"When we looked up, we saw the rescue guy with the stretcher, and he was hooked up and they were lowering the guy from the very top of the thing," witness Jackie Garth said. "And as it came all the way down, you could see that he had a laceration to his head, and they had his head wrapped up and they had the collar on him." 

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has been notified about the incident.

The worker's condition is unknown.

Courtesy: Alex Foden

About the Authors:

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

Andrew Perez is a South Florida native who joined the Local 10 News team in May 2014.