Two construction workers remained missing Thursday, a day after the stairwell of a seven-story parking garage being built in Grays Ferry for the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia partially collapsed, killing at least one person.
Firefighters rescued three individuals moments after the catastrophe, which happened at around 2:15 p.m. April 8 at 30th Street and Grays Ferry Avenue, officials said. One of those people died a short time later at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, while the other two were treated and released, according to the fire department.
Authorities have not publicly identified any of the victims; however, city and labor leaders have indicated that they are members of Ironworkers Local 401.
“We are not, we will not give up on these individuals, and we will not rest until everyone is accounted for from this tragedy,” Mayor Cherelle Parker said during a press briefing Wednesday night.
While plenty of equipment and personnel were assembled around the property Thursday, not much appeared to be happening – at least around lunchtime – in the rubble, piled next to a concrete wall with a severe crack.
Fire Commissioner Jeffrey Thompson told reporters Wednesday night that the structure is unstable and needs to be secured prior to a more thorough search.
“We have to very carefully and methodically deconstruct this building,” he said. “We cannot give you a time frame on how long it’s going to take.”
Parker said Precast Services Inc., a subcontractor with an office in Berks County, was installing concrete floor decking and roof segments that had been manufactured off-site at the time of the collapse.
“After placement, a precast roof segment failed and fell to the level below, literally triggering a progressive collapse of connected sections across all seven levels,” the mayor added.
She explained that the general contractor, Exton-based HSC Builders & Construction Manager, had acquired all eight required permits and had completed the proper inspections. Parker promised a detailed investigation, to be conducted by the city’s Department of Licenses and Inspections.
Extensive road closures continued Thursday, creating congestion on neighborhood roads. Businesses in a strip mall across the street, including a supermarket, were shuttered, and a nearby McDonald’s had a handwritten "we are closed" note taped to the outside of the drive-through window. Gates were locked at Finnegan Playground.
Property records show that CHOP purchased the land two years ago for $24.75 million and planned to construct an employee-only garage with more than 1,000 spaces.
A community coalition has opposed the project, over concerns about air pollution, traffic and other issues.
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