Pinned Man Rescued From Building Collapse In East Rutherford; 2 Hurt

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ — A man was freed after nearly two hours Saturday when a building partially collapsed on three workers in East Rutherford, authorities said.

The incident was reported about 1:30 p.m., officials with the East Rutherford Fire Department said.

Three workers were in the basement at 170 Union Ave. where the building, which was under construction, had partly collapsed, pinning one worker between a collapsed foundation wall and the basement floor slab, authorities said.

First responders were able to remove the worker at 3:18 p.m. after what was described as "an extensive technical operation," and the worker was taken to Hackensack Hospital l for treatment of his injuries, officials said.

A second worker was taken to the hospital for treatment of a leg injury, authorities said.

There were about 90 rescue personnel, including Wallington and the Urban Area Security Initiative Urban Search and Rescue Metro Strike Team, the East Rutherford Fire Company said.

Other fire companies that were part of the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) Rescue team included the Hackensack Fire Department, the Millburn Shoring Truck, Bayonne Rescue, Port Authority Rescue, Paterson Rescue, Morristown Rescue, Elizabeth Ladder, Jersey City Rescue, Hoboken Rescue, and Newark Rescue, authorities said.

The Hackensack Fire Department praised "the swift response and unwavering dedication to saving lives," of the members of the rescue teams that assisted.

"Thank you to all that responded and supported this rescue operation," the East Rutherford Fire Company wrote. "Our thoughts are with the injured workers and hope for their full and swift recovery.

East Rutherford police said representatives with the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration responded as well.

"We would also like to thank Eros Cafe for their assistance during this matter," the police department said.