One injured in Temple construction accident

     This section of the fifth floor gave out Thursday afternoon, injuring one worker. (Ann Marie Awad/for NewsWorks)

    This section of the fifth floor gave out Thursday afternoon, injuring one worker. (Ann Marie Awad/for NewsWorks)

     A construction worker was hurt at Temple University Thursday when a floor partially collapsed in an unfinished building.

    University officials said a section of the fifth floor of the Science Education and Research center gave out around 1:20 p.m.

    The injured worker was taken to Temple University Hospital where he was in stable condition with non-life threatening injuries. The worker’s name has not been released. 

    Temple University spokesman Ray Betzner said engineers have already carried out an initial inspection.

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    “Well the initial indications are a failed connector on the fifth floor of the structure caused a beam to fall,” Betzner said. “That’s what we know at this point.”

    City Executive Fire Chief Richard Davison said firefighters rescued several workers who were stuck on the upper floors.

    Construction started on the seven-story building a year ago. It was scheduled to open in fall 2014. The site has been shut down pending investigations by federal and state authorities. 

    The surrounding area has been closed off until the collapsed materials are cleared. 

    The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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