Teen struck by falling bricks

NEW YORK 'Not good!' is all a Building's Department scaffolding safety crew member could say.

But witnesses have a lot to say.

A passerby took a picture just moments after the accident.

Around 8:30 a.m. paramedics rushed a woman to Saint Vincent's hospital in stable condition.

Police confirm the 17-year-old woman, Ingrid Ospina, was walking along 8th avenue when a brick fell and hit her in the head.

Business owner Kenrick Gooman says he was stunned when he says the worker tried to clean up instead of helping the victim.

"The crowd screamed at him and told him to leave the bricks because he was trying to move the evidence," said Gooman.

The evidence, heavy ivory brick, scattered on the sidewalk.

Neighbors say workers have been repointing the brick for well over a year.

They claim it's to the point where they cross the street to avoid walking under the scaffolding.

Joey mitchell says "Everyday somebody is out here screaming oh that almost hit me or oh that just fell. I've seen it fall twice," said Joey Mitchell.

The Buildings Department is issuing violations to the contractor performing the façade repair work, Standard Waterproofing, for:

Failing to protect public and property during construction operations;

Failing to properly set-up the suspended scaffold;

Failure to post signs on ground alerting pedestrians to work above; and

Certifying in the safety log that the scaffold had been properly set-up.
The Buildings Department is also issuing violations to the sidewalk shed contractor, Rockledge Scaffold Corporation, for:

Failing to protect public and property during construction operations; and

Failing to maintain the sidewalk shed.

---
STORY BY: Eyewitness News reporter Carolina Leid
WEB PRODUCED BY: Scott Curkin