UPDATED, Oct. 19, 10:52 p.m.: Building materials fell from the Echo Brickell construction site Wednesday afternoon, leading to five injuries and one death.
City of Miami Fire Rescue answered calls of a scaffolding collapse at 1450 Brickell Avenue, the site of Property Markets Group’s upcoming 57-story Echo Brickell condo tower, which caused five injuries. Another man, a bystander, suffered a heart attack while running from falling debris, said Miami Fire Rescue Deputy Chief Joseph Zahralban.
Fire rescue crews line up around the Echo Brickell site (Credit: Hiten Samtani)
The falling debris severely damaged at least one car as well, trapping its driver inside. NBC 6 reported that bystanders pulled the woman from the car, though the degree of her injuries are unknown.
WATCH: By-standers rescue woman trapped in car after Brickell construction ax. Scaffolding fell from top floor of high rise. LIVE @ 6 @nbc6 pic.twitter.com/Dh5Q0sDaq4
— Jamie Guirola (@jamieNBC6) October 20, 2016
Aaron Sinnes, construction director for PMG, told The Real Deal that “forming materials” came loose from the building. Panels could be seen dangling three stories from Echo Brickell’s top floor late Wednesday as police cordoned off the area and shut down traffic between 14th Street, 16th Street and Brickell Avenue.
The Miami Police Department tweeted that scaffolding appears to have fallen from the tower as well. Miami Police and Miami Fire Rescue remain on the scene. Zahralban told reporters on the scene that two pieces of scaffolding hanging from the building had to be removed before the scene could be declared secure.
PMG released the following statement: “Unfortunately, a section of formwork has fallen from the top of the structure onto Brickell Avenue. We are currently working with city officials, the fire department and police to secure the site and to provide any and all assistance and information as needed. We are investigating the situation with our general contractor. At this time our thoughts and prayers are with those affected. We will release further details as they become available.”
Two weeks ago, Sinnes told TRD that construction crews had reached the 48th floor. General contractor John Moriarty & Associates broke ground on the 180-unit tower in October 2014, and the tower is slated to open in the first half of next year.
UPDATE: It appears scaffolding fell from construction site. Traffic closed from 14-15 Street on Brickell Ave. @CityofMiamiFire on scene. pic.twitter.com/PCmO0nJ7bu
— Miami PD (@MiamiPD) October 19, 2016