Six hurt in construction collapse in Taunton

(Robert E. Klein for The Boston Globe)

The accident site in Taunton.

By Milton Valencia, Globe Staff

TAUNTON -- Six people were injured this morning when the roof of a building partially collapsed at a construction site, according to the city's fire chief.

The collapse occurred at about 9:50 a.m. at the Liberty and Union Industrial Park on O'Connell Way, where a new building is under construction, Chief Leman Padelford said.

Padelford said all of the injured were "conscious and alert" when rescuers arrived. Four were taken to Morton Hospital in Taunton, one to Rhode Island Hospital, and one to Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River. He had no further information on their condition.

Four of the injured were standing on top of the roof when it collapsed and slid down to the ground. Two people were underneath when the roof collapsed.

Rescuers called for two medical helicopters, but they were grounded due to the weather, Padelford said.

The building, which was being built by Advantage Construction of Quincy, was designed to be about 175 feet by 300 feet and 45 feet high. Large steel panels could be seen lying inside the frame this morning.

Dan DaRosa, owner of another construction company with an office nearby, rushed over to help out after the accident.

"There were two guys badly banged up," he said. "When I got back there, it wasn't a nice sight."

DaRosa said he believed wind was a factor.

The incident will be investigated by the local building inspector in conjunction with the state Department of Public Safety and the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Padelford said.

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