Bodies of 2 workers recovered from collapsed parking garage in Grays Ferry, mayor says

The bodies of the missing workers who were trapped following the parking garage collapse in Philadelphia's Grays Ferry neighborhood were recovered early Monday morning, Mayor Cherelle Parker said.

City crews on Sunday completed the demolition phase of the parking garage that collapsed in Grays Ferry on April 8.

"Our first responders have recovered both individuals with the utmost dignity and compassion and respect for their families and loved ones," Parker said.

The two missing Ironworkers Local 401 members were identified over the weekend as Matthew Kane and Mark Scott Jr. The union also identified Stepan Shevchuk as the man who died after being taken to the hospital shortly after the collapse, and said it plans to hold a memorial service for the victims.

Parker has ordered flags on Philadelphia city buildings to fly at half-staff in honor of the three men until April 17.

The mayor signed an executive order Monday directing the city solicitor and law department to conduct a full investigation into what caused the collapse.

"The executive order states that a thorough, independent and transparent investigation into what led to this tragedy is warranted, so that all relevant facts are established and accountability may follow where appropriate," Parker said.

A report is expected on the mayor's desk within 180 days, after which Parker said she'll establish an independent committee to review the findings and all details related to the collapse. 

Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Jeffrey Thompson called the recovery effort "extremely difficult."

"We had to de-layer the debris, taking it apart piece by piece," he said. "At certain points, we were using shovels, buckets, even our hands to reach them." K-9 units also helped with the search."

The recovery phase began Sunday around 9 p.m. after crews finished demolishing the once seven-story parking garage, which was being built for Children's Hospital of Philadelphia employees.

Technical rescue specialists then went through the rubble where they believed the missing workers were located. No one else was injured during the demolition process, which began over the weekend.

Office of Emergency Management Director Dominick Mireles said no significant hazards were detected during the demolition. Crews will continue to monitor the air quality Monday.

"This is still a very active site," Mireles said. "There are still hazards present. We are still standing in an area that is not available for public access right now. Our objective is to shrink this back into the original footprint as quickly as we can to, frankly, give back the commercial space here, the parking space and get the businesses back up and running. But that will take some time."

The parking garage collapsed on the 3000 block of Grays Ferry Avenue on Wednesday afternoon, during the installation of precast concrete sections. One section failed and triggered a chain reaction, investigators said. 

Brian Forstater, a cousin of Kane, said he loved what he did for work and showed CBS News Philadelphia videos of him dancing around on a job site. 

"He was a good father, a good person, we're gonna miss him," Forstater said.

For now, Forstater's family holds onto memories of Kane.

"We had some good times at the Thanksgiving table, you know? Good laughs," Forstater said.

Businesses at the Grays Ferry Shopping Center, across the street from the collapse site, remain closed, which has prevented many residents in the area from getting to their local grocery store. 

The shopping center includes a Fresh Grocer, McDonald's and more. But the closure has forced some people to shop somewhere else. 

"Fresh Grocer is usually the best and most affordable option," Conner, who lives in Grays Ferry said. "So have to go somewhere else."

City leaders acknowledged the challenges neighbors in Grays Ferry have faced since the collapse, but said they still need to do several things before the business corridor can reopen. 

Evidence needs to be preserved, debris needs to be cleared from the street and some infrastructure needs to be fixed before the stretch of Grays Ferry Avenue can reopen. Officials haven't provided a timetable for when that will happen. 

 "It is now the priority, now that we have recovered these ironworkers," Mireles said.