2 men safe after scaffolding gives way on high-rise building

Man jumps on balcony, pulls co-worker to safety

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Two men avoided almost certain death after the scaffolding they were on gave way on the side of a South Florida high-rise condominium Tuesday afternoon.

The accident happened shortly after 2 p.m. at The Beach Club, 1800 S. Ocean Drive, in Hallandale Beach.

Two workers with Paradigm Construction Group of South Florida were repairing the stucco on the building at the time of the accident.

They were adjusting the level of the scaffolding when one of the motors failed, causing it to tilt and dangle about 30 stories above ground.

"They weren't able to stop the motor that kept going, so that's what happened," Jake Wolpe, president of The Beach Club board, told Local 10's Jacey Birch.

One of the men jumped onto the balcony as the scaffolding started to fall. He threw a rope to his co-worker and pulled him to safety.

Neither man was injured.

It was not known if they were wearing safety harnesses.


About the Author:

Jacey Birch anchors Local 10 News Mornings each weekday from 4:30 a.m. to 7 a.m. She is also proud to be the animal advocate for Local 10's investigative team.