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Workers Injured After Scaffolding Collapse In San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) – Two people have suffered injuries after scaffolding collapsed in San Francisco's South of Market neighborhood on Thursday afternoon.

San Francisco Fire Department spokeswoman Mindy Talmadge said it happened at about 2:20 p.m. at 350 Mission Street, between Fremont and Beale streets. The two workers were installing scaffolding, when it collapsed, sending them falling from as high as 40 feet.

Scaffolding Collapse Leaves Two Injured In San Francisco

Electrician Anthony Aduna was working across the street from the accident site and watched for 20 seconds as he saw the scaffolding come down.

"My eye just focused on the guy at the top. You just see him stick his arm down, a natural reaction, trying to break his fall," Aduna said. "And he hit the concrete."

Aduna called 911 and was left shaken. "It was the right size shackling, the softeners used, the rigging, done by a certified rigger, which it probably is," he said. "That should never happen."

The 30-story high-rise office tower, which will be the future headquarters for Salesforce.com, is being built by Webcor Builders.

"We're going to do a full forensic analysis to find out exactly why, and we will have that done in the next couple of days," said Webcor Builders President and CEO Jes Pederson.

San Francisco Fire Department Battalion Chief Mike Thompson said the injuries to the two construction workers were significant.

"They were both transported in c-spine, they were both being worked on by paramedics as they were transported," Thompson said.

Cal-OSHA will also be investigating the incident.

TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Bay City News Service contributed to this report.

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