Philadelphia Building Collapses-USAR Collapse Rescue

[x635 4,066]

I'm suprised this hasn't been posted here. What a crazy and sad USAR incident.

PHILADELPHIA — A four-story building that was being demolished collapsed onto an adjacent thrift store in central Philadelphia on Wednesday morning, killing at least six people, city officials said.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/06/us/philadelphia-building-collapse.html?_r=0

[JetPhoto 626]

Why were people allowed to occupy the building during the demolition of the attached building. Apparently a proper inspection wasn't done and protection wasn't properly put into position.

[EdAngiolillo 61]

A whole lot of stupid caused this. It should never have happened. Other contractors working the area questioned the demolition techniques for weeks but never said anything because the city's Licenses and Inspections people approved it.

[peterose313 345]

Sources tell NBC10 two drugs were found in the system of the man operating a crane at the site of Wednesday’s deadly building collapse in downtown Philadelphia.

Sean Benschop, 42, had marijuana and prescription painkillers in his blood hours after the outer wall of 2136 Market Street tumbled down onto the Salvation Army Thrift Shop Wednesday morning, sources said.

http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Crane-Operator-Had-Drugs-in-His-System--210608021.html

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- A 42-year-old man who was allegedly high while operating demolition equipment when a downtown building collapsed and killed six people will be charged with involuntary manslaughter, a top city official said Friday.

Sean Benschop faces six counts on that charge, six counts of risking catastrophe and other charges, said Deputy Mayor Everett Gillison.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_BUILDING_COLLAPSE?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

Edited June 7, 2013 by peterose313