Workers hurt when scaffolding falls inside Wheeling water tower

WHEELING, Ill. - Two workers were critically injured when scaffolding they were on gave way inside a water tower in suburban Chicago.

Crews were sandblasting and painting the inside of the water tower in Wheeling when the scaffolding fell around 9 a.m. Friday, according to the Daily Herald.

One of the victims fell 60 to 80 feet (18 to 24 meters), Wheeling Fire Chief Mike McGreal said.

Ropes and harnesses were used to help remove both victims. Both were taken to a hospital.

“It’s a very tricky operation because the tank is empty of water,” McGreal said. “There are a series of manhole-size openings, so they actually had to lift the patients up to lower the patients (to the ground) so it was a pretty technical rescue.”

The accident was under investigation.