By Bonnie L. Cook
The Philadelphia Inquirer
LOWER MERION, Pa. — A worker was injured yesterday when a “high lift” fell inside the new Lower Merion High School that is under construction, township police said.
The industrial accident occurred at 3:44 p.m. at Montgomery Avenue and School House Lane. Classes dismiss at 2:30.
Initials reports indicated that injuries to the worker were not life-threatening, Lower Merion Police Superintendent Michael J. McGrath said. The man, whose name was not immediately available, suffered injury to his face and possible head trauma, McGrath said.
The worker was flown to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, McGrath said.
The lift is “one of those bucket-type lifts that extends up from a four-wheeled motorized base. Not unlike something you see tree trimmers using,” McGrath said.
The lift tipped over, pinning the man beneath, McGrath said. It was not known what caused the lift to fall, or whether the Occupational Safety and Health Administration was investigating.
School district spokesman Douglas Young said the lift was being moved near a swimming pool being built inside the high school when the lift fell. Other workers freed the man within minutes, Young said.
“He was standing under his own power when first responders arrived,” Young said. Narberth Ambulance medics treated the victim.
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