Wild Ride 78 Stories High: NYC Window Washers Saved from Dangling Scaffold!

Two window washers in New York City experienced a heart-stopping ordeal when their scaffolding malfunctioned 78 stories above ground. The incident occurred at 25 Columbus Circle, where the platform broke free, swinging wildly and smashing against the skyscraper, resulting in shattered glass raining down on the streets below. The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) responded swiftly to the emergency at approximately 9:45 a.m. Deputy Chief Michael Trahan described the scene upon arrival: "When units pulled up, the scaffolding was swinging around, smashing into the building. There was glass all over the street." Securing the area to protect pedestrians was the immediate priority. FDNY Lieutenant Nicholas Schneider from Ladder 4 recounted the tense moments as his team reached the 78th floor. "We came into the room, and they were swinging back and forth, and the scaffolding was twisting," Schneider said. "We were able to get eyes on two occupants. They weren't tied off. They had harnesses on. But for some reason, they were not secured to any sort of safety lines." Using a lifesaving rope, the FDNY crews secured the scaffolding and then the two workers. They were then pulled to safety. "It was extremely dangerous for the occupants of the scaffolding," Schneider noted, emphasizing the risks faced by both the workers and the FDNY members operating on the building's edge. EMS crews provided immediate medical attention to the rescued workers, who were then transported to NewYork-Presbyterian / Weill Cornell Medical Center. Thankfully, both were reported to be in **stable condition**.