1 man injured, another rescued after window washing platform collapses in downtown Des Moines
By KCCI Web Staff
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DES MOINES, Iowa (KCCI) — Rescue crews were called Wednesday to a scene in downtown Des Moines where a man fell multiple stories from a window-washing platform.
Des Moines police say police and fire crews responded to a scene in the 400 block of Walnut Street shortly after 12:30 p.m. Wednesday for a report of a person falling approximately three floors.
First responders found a man with serious injuries and a second man trapped on a collapsed window-washing platform.
“This building that we’re on top of had a lot of tie-off systems, which we’re able to use for anchors, which is a huge obstacle we have to overcome at times,” said Lt. Tyler Mark. “There are a lot of times these buildings don’t have tie-offs, and we have to create our own anchor system. Today, with the system in the building that was in place, we’re able to install our ropes very quickly and get the ropes down to the rescuers.”
The man was successfully rescued at around 1:35 p.m. through the collaborative efforts of the Des Moines Police, Des Moines Fire, and the Des Moines Fire Special Operations team.
“The second victim was holding himself up on the scaffolding and did have a harness on,” said Lt. Tyler Mark, with the Des Moines Fire special operations team. “I’m not sure if he was restrained in the system or not. I know we removed his harness and put our harness on to rescue him.”
Walnut Street from 4th Sreet and 5th Street reopened once crews cleared the scene.
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