NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Scaffolding collapsed Friday at an apartment construction site, killing one worker and trapping another who was critically injured, officials said.

Five other workers were also injured, two seriously, when the rig fell at the Bristol on Broadway building just west of downtown, Fire Capt. Dave Warman said.

Some workers escaped injury by jumping off the scaffolding, which was about five stories high, authorities said.

Police spokesman Don Aaron identified the man who died as Brian Owen, 24. The names of the other workers were not immediately available.

The critically injured worker was trapped under the metal scaffolding for nearly an hour before rescue crews could free him, authorities said.

Michael Roderick, whose company, Elmore Electric, was working on the project, said he noticed the scaffolding seemed unsteady. He said it fell while he had stepped away for a telephone call.

Workers “were screaming, ‘Please God help me! Help me!’ and we were just trying to comfort them,” he said.

Bill Landers, president of the site’s general contractor, Construction Enterprises, said the scaffolding was erected by a subcontractor. He said the Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspected it last month and found no problems.

“There were no safety concerns,” he said. “There’ve been some injuries on past projects, but nothing serious.”

AP-ES-07-30-04 1202EDT



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