(Update) Rescue Underway After Window Washers' Scaffolding Breaks at 44th Floor
Two window washers are currently trapped on a scaffolding that broke near the very top of New York City's 46-story Hearst Tower. The New York Fire Department is in the middle of attempting to rescue the washers before the scaffolding fails further, having already slightly collapsed at its center.
A fire official speaking to NBC 4 said that both washers have been secured with safety harnesses. Firefighters will now attempt to extract the window glass on the 44th floor and pull the men in.
The broken scaffolding at the heart of this drama was recently given a write-up in the New Yorker for being something of a design marvel in the world of window washing.
Update: The washers have been rescued.
