Tennessee Construction Workers Injured When Wall Collapses

Authorities say three workers in Bedford County were injured when a wall from a building under construction collapsed on them.

According to the Shelbyville Times-Gazette, the accident happened Saturday morning. The wall was part of a new football fieldhouse being built at Shelbyville Central High School.

Injured in the accident were Efran Hernandez, Kenny Murphy and Larry Murphy, all of whom were taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Officials say Hernandez was treated and released.

The conditions of the other mean have not been released. Both suffered broken bones.

Officials say wooden roof trusses were being placed atop the structure by a crane when the wall fell. According to reports, a blast of wind appeared to topple the wall.

The accident remains under investigation.

Several construction experts who visited the scene said shoddy methods used by a subcontractor who built the block walls may have led to the collapse.

Kent Holt of Lee Adcock Construction said the footings, concrete floor and the block walls were constructed last year by another contractor.

“It looks as if the block wasn’t put in according to plans,” Adcock said. “The walls didn’t support the weight of the trusses.”