Crane collapses, injures workers

AUSTINTOWN -- A crane collapsed this afternoon injuring an undetermined number of people at Kundel Industries, one floor below, and the crane operator, who works for another company in the two-story building on Henricks Road.
At least one man was to be flown by helicopter to a hospital. His name and condition were not available. It's not clear how many are hurt or the nature or seriousness of their injuries.
Fire departments from Austintown, Canfield, Youngstown and Howland were on hand to assist with rescue operations, as well as two medical helicopters and several ambulances.
Kundel is located on the ground floor of the two-story warehouse facility. The top floor is occupied by the other company, where the crane was operating.
Awilda Rivera of Youngstown said she heard about a floor collapsing at Youngstown Steel Door Industries on Henricks and came to get her husband, Hector.
Hector Rivera, 49, who works for Kundel, said he was on the lower floor when above him steel fell off a crane, which collapsed the floor and trapped people underneath. He heard the crash and went outside, he said.
Around 4 p.m., Austintown police began evacuating the building. Youngstown Fire Department crews responded to lend assistance.
The city firefighters have rappelling experience, which allows them to descend on ropes for rescue.
Shortly after 4, the two medevac helicopters landed to transport the injured.
Another Kundel worker said he was about 50 feet from where the collapse occurred on the ground floor. He said it's likely one of the crane straps broke and the flat bars of steel it was carrying hit the floor and cracked it.
Other family members of Kundel workers continued to arrive on the scene after 4 to make sure their loved ones were safe.