Trapped Window Cleaners Rescued From 1 World Trade Center
Scaffolding malfunctioned at 68th floor.
— -- Firefighters cut through a glass window on the 68th floor of 1 World Trade Center this afternoon in New York, successfully rescuing two window washers who were left dangling in a scaffolding unit after a cable broke during a routine cleaning.
The two workers were believed to be secured by their safety harnesses while a rescue plan was being enacted and helicopter views show dozens of fire officials inside the glass windows as they were waiting to get the cleaners out.
“They’re safe. Fire Department is doing what the Fire Department does. They’re talking to them,” a Port Authority official told ABC News.
When asked how long the rescue will take, the official said it will "probably be a while."
One World Trade, which is the tallest building in both the United States and the Western Hemisphere, stands at 1,776 feet tall with 104 stories.
The building itself opened officially last week and was built in the northwest corner of the 16-acre site.