Woman rescued from building collapse site
A woman trapped in the rubble of a partially collapsed building at 15 Academy St. was rescued several hours after part of a seven-story shell of an adjacent building toppled onto the smaller structure.
Two people were trapped in the smaller, three-story building. One was rescued almost immediately, but it took several hours to extricate the other.
A surgical unit was called in to assist in removing the woman from the building before she was taken to a hospital.
Poughkeepsie Mayor Robert Rolison said a severe thunderstorm that rolled through the city about 4 p.m. Monday might may have contributed to the failure of the taller building.
During an abbreviated Common Council meeting Monday night, City Administrator Marc Nelson said all resources were fully mobilized in the rescue effort.
“Obviously a very serious situation, weather related, in the city,” Nelson said. “Emergency services are on scene, and as they always do, a fantastic job.”
Firefighters from the city of Poughkeepsie and Arlington fire departments were at the scene, along with Moblie Life Support Services, the city of Poughkeepsie Police Department and other agencies.
An FDNY team arrived late Monday to assist with structure stability.
A bus was brought to the scene to allow the first responders to take a break in an air-conditioned environment as the temperature hovered above 90 degrees.
Three Poughkeepsie firefighters were taken to Vassar Brothers Medical Center. Two were released, and one was admitted.