Worker injured in 30 foot fall at new Central School
Published on May 9th, 2001
STONEHAM, MA - Patrick Riggs, 44, of Athol is in serious condition at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston today after falling 30 feet from a construction scaffolding inside the new Central School gym on Monday afternoon.
Riggs works for R and G Ironworks of Athol as a welder. He was working with a crew constructing the interior of the new Central School gym on Central Street when he fell.
According to Stoneham Police at the scene, Riggs’ safety harness was not attached to the static safety line. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the incident.
According to Stoneham Firefighters, blood was coming out of Riggs’ ears, but he was conscious. Captain Douglas Griffin said that Riggs’ right arm got caught in the scaffolding on his way down, severely injuring the hand and arm. Riggs also injured his head and legs.
Stoneham Fire called Boston Med Flight. Action Ambulance transported Riggs around the school to the upper Pomeworth baseball field. The helicopter landed on the ballfield and rushed Riggs to Beth Israel. The hospital would only describe his condition as “serious.”
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