06-16-16 Construction Worker Injured in Fall

The accident occurred around 11:00 a.m. on a construction site at 1920 Chestnut Street. Employees with the Wise Construction Company told firefighters that they were demolishing the interior of the brick structure, which is being converted into an apartment building. The worker on was the roof using a jackhammer when the concrete below him gave way. The man fell about 25 feet to the ground floor.

Chattanooga firefighters arrived moments later and carefully pulled the victim away from the debris. They then provided some initial treatment for his injuries and then handed him off to Hamilton County EMS, which rushed him to Erlanger Medical Center. At the time of this release, the man's condition was still being assessed.

Battalion Chief Ashley May called for a representative from the city's building inspection office to check on the structural integrity of the building. After a visual inspection of the site, Dallas Rucker with the inspection office issued a stop work notice on the project until the company brings in a structural engineer to advise them on how to proceed safely with the project.