Pallet Jack Blamed For Latest Injuries At Deutsche Bank Demolition

Two firefighters were hurt yesterday when a worker at the snakebit Deutsche Bank building lost control of a pallet jack on the 23rd story, and it crashed down onto a temporary shed.

A heavy piece of machinery plunged 23 stories off the cursed Deutsche Bank building yesterday, smashing a temporary shed and injuring two firefighters - one of them seriously - just days after two of New York’s Bravest died while battling a fierce blaze there.

A pallet jack fell from the 23rd floor of 130 Liberty St. shortly before 2 p.m., crashing down on a the shed in the safety perimeter around the structure, according to the Lower Manhattan Development Corp., which owns the building and has been on the hot seat since the fire.

Firefighter William Carbetis, 51, had his spleen removed last night at St. Vincent's Hospital. He also received 10 stitches to close a gash on his head. The 17-year veteran was listed in serious condition.

Firefighter Neil Nally, 35, a five-year vet, was treated for an injured neck, back and right hand. He was in stable condition.

The two firefighters work at Engine 258 near the Midtown Tunnel in Queens.

All work at the building has been halted. There had been workers scouring the building over the past week since the deadly fire to secure the facility, but work was also apparently continuing in the decontamination of the building.

John Galt Corp was dismissed from the job earlier this week, and Bovis Lend Lease is still the general contractor on the site. Bovis is one of the biggest construction firms in the country, and it should be remembered that the firm was one of two that responded to 9/11 and helped with the recovery efforts and clearing Ground Zero of the debris. It has also been involved in numerous other high profile jobs around the City including the TimeWarner Center, Bloomberg Building, and the Tweed Courthouse renovation. However, none of this excuses potential failures on the part of the corporation to oversee its subcontractor in this case.

UPDATE:
Even as the situation was unfolding at the Deutsche Bank building, a sea of blue formed to pay their respects to the supreme sacrifice made by Firefighter Joseph Graffagnino, who died in the fire that ripped through the building this past Saturday. Firefighter Robert Beddia will be laid to rest today after a funeral service at St. Patrick's Cathedral.