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Maintenance Worker Injured in 30-Foot Fall at Penn Square Mall
A maintenance worker fell about 30 feet from an upper roof section to a lower rooftop at Penn Square Mall on Thursday, Nov. 5, and was rescued by Oklahoma City firefighters using a basket system.
A maintenance worker was seriously injured after falling roughly 30 feet from an upper section of the roof to a lower rooftop at Penn Square Mall, Oklahoma City firefighters reported.
The accident occurred on Thursday, Nov. 5, according to the Oklahoma City Fire Department. When crews arrived, they found the worker conscious but suffering from head and back injuries.
Firefighters stabilized the patient on the lower roof before using a rescue basket to lower the worker safely to the ground. The worker was then transported for medical treatment. The person's identity and current condition have not been released.
The incident highlights the risks faced by maintenance and construction workers who labor at heights, often without the public visibility of other professions. Falls remain one of the leading causes of workplace fatalities nationwide, according to federal safety officials.
Penn Square Mall, a major retail hub in northwest Oklahoma City, has not commented publicly on the accident or on the worker's employment status. It was not immediately clear whether the worker was employed directly by the mall or by a contractor.
The fire department's use of a rescue basket â a specialized stretcher designed for vertical lifts â allowed responders to move the injured worker without further strain on the head and back injuries. Such equipment is commonly used in elevated rescue operations where stairs or ladders are impractical.
No further details about the circumstances leading to the fall were available. The incident remains under investigation.