Photo by AP Photo/Matt Rourke
First responders inspect a partially collapsed parking garage in Philadelphia on April 9 after an April 8 collapse that killed three construction workers, with two not found until April 13
Crews recovered the bodies of two union ironworkers about five days after the parking garage they were building at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia partially collapsed on April 8. Search and rescue workers initially pulled one worker from rubble before he died at a local hospital of his injuries.
The workers’ identities were not initially released, but they were identified by city-based Iron Workers union, Local 401, as members Stepan Shevchuk, who was the first to be found, and Matthew Kane and Mark Scott Jr., who were discovered early on April 13.
“We’ve lost three loved and respected members of our 401 family and wait in anticipation to bring our Brothers home,” the union wrote in a Facebook post. “This process has been slow and painstaking, but necessary due to the condition of the structure and the possibility for further collapse.”
The $32.27-million project was part of the hospital construction effort in south Philadelphia.
“Our hearts and prayers are with their families and loved ones during this unimaginable time,” the Iron Workers union also wrote in a statement.
The day after Shevchuk was recovered from the rubble, search and rescue teams determined that two other workers also died and adapted their mission into a recovery operation.
Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Jeffery Thompson told reporters that the bodies were recovered in a stairwell as crews conducted a controlled demolition of the collapsed garage. He also said the remainder of the garage was demolished to make the site safe during recovery.
A failure during installation of precast concrete flooring, decking and roofing segments of the garage triggered a progressive collapse through all seven levels, said city Mayor Cherelle Parker. She told reporters that a medical examiner would determine the cause of death and also issued an executive order for an “independent” investigation into the collapse. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration is also investigating.
Looking for quick answers on construction and engineering topics?
Try Ask ENR, our new smart AI search tool.
Ask ENR →
Justin Rice is Editor for ENR East.
