Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Huge Sign Falls On Two Unsuspecting Women In Terrifying Video
By
Ben Yakas
Published Jul 3, 2018
Modified Jul 3, 2018
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Ben Yakas
Published Jul 3, 2018
Modified Jul 3, 2018
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Getting hit by falling items is a classic NYC nightmare, and one which turned into a serious reality for two women in Brooklyn earlier this week.
According to the Post, two older women were chatting outside Brooklyn Smile dentistry on Fourth Ave. in Bay Ridge around 5:45 p.m. on Monday when a 21-foot-long sign fell on top of them. The incident was captured on surveillance video:
"The sign collapsed on them and crushed the one lady like a pancake," local resident Ephraim Frankie Rabera Good told the Post. "The other lady got ricocheted and bounced off the wall — her leg got stuck under there." Thankfully, passersby were able to lift the sign and help the women.
"There were these two women near it standing under there and I told them you have to get out from under there and they finally moved," Francine Grillo, who was in the library next door when the sign fell, told Brooklyn Reporter. "They must have been in shock."
The FDNY said both women, whose names weren't released, were taken to NYU Langone Hospital-Brooklyn with serious injuries. Both are expected to survive.
After the collapse, the Buildings Department issued a full vacate order to the building, and a violation to the building's owner, Dr. Gary Herskovits, for failure to maintain the building. They have ordered him to build a sidewalk shed to protect pedestrians.
Tagged
bay ridge
brooklyn
falling sign
fdny
scaffolding
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Man shot on Midtown subway platform Saturday afternoon, NYPD says
Police responded to at the 53rd Street and 7th Avenue station in Manhattan.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 17, 2026 at 1:16 p.m. ET
Modified Oct 17, 2026 at 1:29 p.m. ET
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
Suspects were driving a Subaru Forester, police said.
By
Ryan Kost
News
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
Suspects were driving a Subaru Forester, police said.
By
Ryan Kost
Being reigning champions is weird for Knicks fans, but we could get used to this.
By
Catalina Gonella
Tompkins Square Park is getting a makeover. Some say it's too much.
By
Willow Higgins
Deer are all over New Jersey roads looking for sex, state officials warn
By
Rosemary Misdary
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .