Ironworkers killed in Philadelphia parking garage collapse identified as demolition begins
The Philadelphia Ironworkers Local 401 has identified the worker killed and the two presumed dead after a parking garage partially collapsed on Wednesday in the Grays Ferry section of Philadelphia.
The union said Stepan Shevchuk was the man killed when a failure of a precast concrete segment triggered a progressive collapse. The remains of Matthew Kane and Mark Scott Jr., who officials say are presumed dead, have not been recovered.
"We've lost three loved and respected members of our 401 family and wait in anticipation to bring our Brothers home," the union wrote in a Facebook post. "This process has been slow and painstaking, but necessary due to the condition of the structure and the possibility for further collapse. We asked that you respect the authorities and agencies that are involved as they are trying to recover our Brothers as safely, dignified and respectfully as possible."
Workers got started on the demolition of the partially collapsed garage on Saturday morning. Into the afternoon, portions of the structure were coming down as a large crane swung a wrecking ball.
The garage along Grays Ferry Avenue was being built for the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) to expand employee parking.
Demolition and recovery crews on the site spent Friday assembling a large crane and a wrecking ball that will be used during the demolition process. Crews also set up some shielding around the building.
The city could not provide a time frame for how long the demolition would take because engineers and inspectors will need to monitor the structure's response to the demolition.
The Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management warned residents that demolition may produce loud noises and advised them to close their windows. Mayor Cherelle Parker said there may be dust around the site and that people with sensitive respiratory conditions may want to wear a mask such as an N95.
A community meeting is set for 10 a.m. Saturday at Vare Recreation Center for city officials to answer questions about the collapse and give updates on the demolition.
Grays Ferry Avenue remains closed between 28th Street and 34th Street, according to Philadelphia OEM. The city has asked residents to avoid the area.
Friday, Gov. Josh Shapiro ordered all flags across Pennsylvania to fly at half-staff in memory of the workers who lost their lives. Parker ordered the same for the flags across the city of Philadelphia.