JASPER, AL (WBRC) -
A building being
demolished in downtown Jasper trapped a man trying to take it down on Tuesday
morning. He ended up with all the debris covering him.
Jasper city employees were
actually demolishing the old department store when one of the workers hit a
wall and the entire building collapsed. The building is located at the corner
of 1st Avenue and 19th Street in downtown Jasper.
The employee who was
underneath the rubble is Billy Wade. Wade he was in a track hoe machine with an
enclosed top, so when the building collapsed the track hoe turned on its side.
He says he was protected by the glass case. It took crews about 10 minutes to
get him out.
City workers are worried
the front part of the building may collapse now, so they have blocked off 19th Street.
They are bringing in another track hoe to knock it down. They say the road may
be closed for at least a couple of hours.
SLIDESHOW: Worker saved from building collapse in Jasper
Copyright 2013 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Crews work to free the man from the trapped equipment. (Photo: Clare Huddleston)
The equipment can be seen near the middle of the building. (Photo: Clare Huddleston)
First responders made sure the scene was safe before attempting a rescue. (Photo: Clare Huddleston)
