Metal Beams Fall From Uptown Construction Site

A crane dropped several steel beams from a bundle near the top of an uptown building under construction, causing the beams to shatter at least six windows as they fell.

The debris narrowly missed a school bus and seriously shook up the driver.

The accident happened just before 1:30 p.m. Monday on South Tryon Street at the site of the new Wachovia building. A construction worker told Eyewitness News the crane was lifting a bundle of beams to the top of the building, which is 51 stories high, when the pile wasn’t lifted high enough and was knocked loose. Several beams slipped out and tumbled down the side of the building.

Metal and glass shards rained onto the roadway and a nearby parking lot, damaging several cars.

Those who saw the falling beams said they couldn’t believe their eyes.

“You couldn't tell what it was that was falling, just glass breaking, a loud noise and a cloud of dust,” said Cassandra Mazure.

No one was hurt, but the driver of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools bus No. 1017 had to be taken to the hospital because she was so shaken, CMS officials said.

Capt. Rob Brisley with the Charlotte Fire Department said no passengers were on the bus.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is not investigating because no one was killed. The construction crew will perform an internal investigation and the North Carolina Department of Labor is also investigating.

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