'She is still alive': Pregnant woman rescued from NYC building collapse rubble, husband says
She is alive, she is still alive," the woman's husband said.
A 6-month-pregnant woman was pulled alive from the rubble of a collapsed building, prompting an emotional reaction from her husband as first responders continued rescue efforts Wednesday night.
A man was seen embracing another person, and crying after learning that his wife had survived the collapse and been removed from the debris.
"I have an update. She is alive, she is still alive. I am very happy," the man said.
Earlier in the evening, the man had run down Flatbush Avenue searching for his wife.
He attempted to get past law enforcement officers to reach her but was moved to a safe area away from the collapsed building so first responders could continue rescue efforts and reach victims as quickly as possible.
The man stood outside the scene pleading for help and desperately seeking information about his pregnant wife.
"I've heard nothing. She's inside the building. She's pregnant," the man told police and Eyewitness News as emergency crews continued their search operations.
At about 6:30 p.m., the man received the news he had been desperately awaiting. His wife was found alive, placed on a stretcher and taken by ambulance for medical treatment.
After learning she had survived, the man expressed gratitude to those involved in the rescue.
"I'm very happy. I want to thank all of you guys," he said.
The identities of the man and his wife were not immediately known. They were rushed from the scene so she could receive medical attention.
It was at least one positive outcome to a night that was steeped in tragedy.
The collapse happened shortly after 4 p.m. when a three-story building at 1321 Flatbush Ave. collapsed into a neighboring construction site at 2625 Bedford Ave., officials said.
It left at least five people dead and at least 19 others injured, according to officials.
Rescue crews spent hours combing through the debris as they worked to locate anyone who might still be trapped.
Chopper footage showed catastrophic damage, with large sections of the building reduced to rubble. The collapse also damaged a neighboring building at 1323 Flatbush Ave., where part of the exterior appeared sheared away, exposing apartments inside. That building remained standing.
Operations are ongoing.
