St. Luke's Church Reopened Wednesday After Crane Collapse
The building was deemed safe by Fairfax County.
St. Luke's Episcopal Church reopened Wednesday afternoon after a crane collapsed on the building Tuesday morning.
The Rev. Tuck Bowerfind said the building was cleared by Fairfax County around 3 p.m. Wednesday. Bowerfind told Patch the building did not suffer any structural damage, but the steeple suffered some minor cosmetic damage.
Workers from B&M Tower Technology were at the church Tuesday morning working on a cell phone tower on the church steeple. A malfunction jostled two workers in a basket while it was in the air.
The workers sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
St. Luke's Day School was also cleared for damages, but it will reopen Tuesday due to teacher continuing education days and the President's Day holiday.
Ash Wednesday services will take place at 5.30 p.m. and 7.30 p.m. at the church.
Tuck Bowerfind
10:48 pm on Wednesday, February 13, 2013
It appears this accident happened because three bolts sheared at some place on the crane. The important detail to note is that while there was a technical failure with the bolts that might have spelled catastrophe the crane operator adapted to the situation and brought the men under his care alive onto the roof of the church. The structure of the steeple was sound enough to hold the crane up. The roof strong enough to let the men walk down. The crane operator said, just another day on the job. Those who build our roofs, fashion the bolts, climb into baskets high above the ground, all contribute to our safety and prosperity. Praise the working man. Truly, our lives depend upon each other's toil.
Jessie Biele
7:54 am on Friday, February 15, 2013
Thank you so much for the update Rev. Bowerfind. Thank goodness the crane operator thought quickly and was able to bring the workers to safety!
-Jessie Biele, Local Editor