Four people were hospitalized Monday after a construction rig collapsed onto three vehicles and a construction container in Miami’s Brickell neighborhood, trapping two workers and sparking a vehicle fire, authorities said.
Miami Fire Rescue crews were called to the area near Southeast 12th Street and Brickell Bay Drive shortly after the drilling rig fell at about 8 a.m.
“Miami Fire Rescue responded after a drilling rig fell onto three vehicles near SE 12 Street and Brickell Bay Drive,” the department said in a post on X.
“The Technical Rescue Team units worked to safely free two trapped victims in a crushed container. Fortunately, the 4 patients transported were in stable condition.”
Four people were hospitalized Monday after a construction rig collapsed onto three vehicles and a construction container in Miami. (@CityofMiamiFire via X)
Firefighters rescued two construction workers, ages 27 and 29, who had been trapped inside the mangled construction container, Miami Fire Chief Robert Hevia said at a news conference.
At the same time, crews battled a fire that broke out after the rig crushed a BMW, Hevia said.
“To be able to see the crane falling, pull the car in reverse and pop out of the back while the car’s on fire, really incredible,” Hevia said, explaining how the BMW driver escaped the burning vehicle.
The falling rig also struck two parked vehicles that were unoccupied, according to Hevia.
Firefighters put out a fire that started after the rig crashed onto a BMW, Hevia said. (@CityofMiamiFire via X)
The two workers, the 47-year-old rig operator and the BMW driver were transported to local hospitals with minor injuries, Hevia said. He added that all 18 construction workers at the site had been accounted for.
“It was a very complex scene with a fire that was occurring, our crews were putting out the fire and our technical rescue team working simultaneously to cut through the Conex box, the construction box, and they were able to successfully extricate the two victims,” Hevia said.
The Miami Police Department urged drivers to stay away from the area earlier Monday.
“Due to a crane collapse, Brickell Bay Drive is currently closed between SE 12th Street and SE 13th Street. Motorists are encouraged to avoid the area, seek alternate routes, and expect delays. Please use caution and follow the direction of officers on scene,” Miami police said on X.
Officials have not disclosed what caused the construction rig to collapse. (@CityofMiamiFire via X)
Officials have not said what caused the collapse. Hevia said the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is investigating the incident.
According to NBC 6 South Florida, the collapse occurred at the site of billionaire Ken Griffin’s planned Citadel headquarters.
Miami Fire Rescue and Citadel could not immediately be reached by News Outlet for comment.
