Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Van Takes Out Scaffolfing and Injures Six in Harlem
By
Billy Parker
Published Mar 7, 2009
Modified Mar 7, 2009
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 .
Photo by Paolo Mastrangelo on flickr
View all 6
By
Billy Parker
Published Mar 7, 2009
Modified Mar 7, 2009
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
The driver of a van in Harlem today lost control, causing the vehicle to jump the curb and injure six people while simultaneously toppling a scaffolding. The scaffolding had just been cited last month by the Department of Buildings for not meeting safety code standards. An owner of a nearby deli at 136th Street and Lenox Avenue told the News, "It sounded like the whole building fell down."
The accident has left one construction worker in critical condition at the nearby Harlem Hospital. A construction worker who raced across the street after hearing the accident said, "We pulled the scaffolding off and that's when we saw him. He was blue ... he was bleeding from the mouth and head." The injured worker is expected to survive.
Investigators believe that the accelerator of the van became stuck as the driver was pulling out into traffic nearby. He did not immediately stop upon hitting the scaffolding and continued on the sidewalk for a block before the vehicle ceased moving. Police believe it was an accident, but have not confirmed whether the driver will be cleared of any wrongdoing.
Tagged
car accident
harlem
Harlem building
scaffolding
Billy Parker
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Queens man charged with hate crime at Jewish-owned bagel shop displaying Israeli flags
Prosecutors say the 22-year-old damaged property outside the Fresh Meadows shop twice in May.
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Oct 19, 2026 at 6:07 p.m. ET
MTA train yards are in such bad shape plants are growing out of the roof, watchdog says
In some cases, the damage was “clearly not recent."
By
Stephen Nessen
News
MTA train yards are in such bad shape plants are growing out of the roof, watchdog says
In some cases, the damage was “clearly not recent."
By
Stephen Nessen
High-ranking NYC officials to testify in ex-buildings boss Eric Ulrich's corruption trial
By
David Brand
Mamdani launches new team to help NYers keep SNAP, Medicaid benefits
By
Caroline Lewis
Riders at 53rd St. station where man was fatally shot say they worry about gun violence
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
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 .