Man Hit By Wooden Panel Outside Midtown Construction Site

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A man was seriously injured Wednesday afternoon when a wooden panel apparently fell on him at a construction site along Fifth Avenue.

Around 3:45 p.m., the man was walking past the construction site at Fifth Avenue and 30th Street when a tall green panel reading "post no bills" apparently fell on him. The panel was part of a wall to separate the construction site from the sidewalk, as CBS2's Dave Carlin reported.

Two nearby restaurant workers told CBS2's Carlin what they saw.

"He was just laying on the floor, like he was literally not moving. He was laying on the floor," said Gigi Valdez.

"Well, it happened right there – right in front of my job. I walk past it every day to come to work, but they should be more careful of what they're doing around there," said Michelle Pastor.

The man was taken to Bellevue Hospital Center, officials said. He was reported in serious condition.

As of 5 p.m., three people with hard hats were on the scene, apparently conducting an investigation on behalf of the developers or the construction company. They were also seen talking to police.

A 50-story building is under construction at the site.