Local

5 injured in apparent scaffolding collapse

EAST DEER, Pa. — Authorities said five people were injured in an apparent scaffolding collapse Monday morning in East Deer Township.
 
The accident was reported at Weleski Transfer's facility warehouse on Treadway Lane across the railroad tracks from the rear of the P.J. Greco Sons Inc. scrap yard on Freeport Road.
 
Weleski Transfer Vice President Lynn Thompson said the workers were replacing the roof when a portion of the scaffolding collapsed around 9:30 a.m., and they fell about 20 feet.
 
Thompson said the workers were from J & J Roofing of Vandergrift.
 
Multiple ambulances were dispatched to the scene and two medical helicopters each transported a patient from the East Deer Recreational Facility in Creighton.
 
"I heard through one of the guys that they were stable and were OK.  I just hope everything turns out OK," said Gregory Selinger of Weleski Transfer.
 
The cause of the collapse is under investigation.  Channel 11 saw a roofer speaking with an OSHA investigator Monday afternoon.

Channel 11's news exchange partners at TribLIVE contributed to this report.