Gov. Honors Firefighters of Charles Street T Rescue

Gov. Deval Patrick today honored the firefighters who came to the rescue of MBTA employee Edward Rowe after he into a concrete shaft at the Red Line Charles Street/MGH T stop early Wednesday morning. 

“This act of heroism helped save Edward Rowe’s life, and I want to extend my thanks to these brave firefighters for acting quickly and professionally in the line of duty,” Patrick said.

He thanked Ballin Wright and Gary Dardia, the two Boston Firefighters from Rescue 1, who lowered themselves into the shaft, and hoisted Rowe out during the rescue. Boston Fire Department Commissioner Rod Fraser, Acting Chief John Hasson, members of the command staff, and men and women from Rescue 1, Engine 4, Engine 10, Ladder 24, and Tower Ladder 3 were also present.

Rowe, 46, a long-time MBTA electrician, was cutting power to the third rail so workers could safely make repairs to the Longfellow Bridge, when he stepped on a wooden plank covering a small hole. 

The wood plank gave way and he fell nearly 30 into a concrete shaft. After hours of a painstaking rescue, he was removed from the shaft shortly after 7 a.m. and taken to Mass General Hospital with two broken legs.

As a result of this incident, MassDOT has ordered that all wood covers on the Longfellow Bridge be immediately replaced with steel covers, and has initiated a complete assessment and investigation of the incident.