A 9-year-old girl and a male relative were injured after being struck by falling window glass from an eight-story apartment building in Queens during strong winds. The incident occurred on Monday evening when a glass panel dislodged from an apartment balcony and fell onto the sidewalk below. Both victims were taken to North Shore Hospital for evaluation, but they did not suffer any lacerations or serious injuries. The girl and the 45-year-old man were related, according to law enforcement sources.
The scary scene unfolded around 6:10 p.m. on Beech Avenue in Queens, as emergency responders and the city’s buildings department surveyed the damage caused by the falling glass. Photos from the scene showed broken glass scattered across the sidewalk. The high winds in the city on Monday night and Tuesday were blowing at around 15 mph, with gusts as strong as 30 mph. Despite the strong winds, the exact cause of the glass panel becoming dislodged from the building’s balcony area is still under investigation.
Following the incident, authorities have not reported any serious injuries to the two victims struck by the falling glass. Both the young girl and the 45-year-old man were taken to the hospital for evaluation but did not suffer any lacerations. The girl and the man were hospitalized as a precautionary measure to ensure they did not sustain any internal injuries. Law enforcement sources have indicated that the two victims were related, although the specific nature of their relationship has not been disclosed.
The images captured at the scene depict the aftermath of the incident, with shattered glass littering the sidewalk and emergency responders working to assess the situation. The city’s buildings department was also on-site to inspect the damage caused by the falling window glass. Despite the destruction caused by the incident, the quick response from emergency personnel helped ensure that no serious injuries occurred to the young girl and her male relative. The incident serves as a reminder of the potential dangers posed by high winds, especially in urban areas with tall buildings.
While the exact circumstances that led to the glass panel falling from the apartment building are still being investigated, the incident highlights the importance of building maintenance and safety protocols during extreme weather conditions. The strong winds in the city on Monday evening into Tuesday may have played a role in dislodging the glass panel, emphasizing the need for regular inspections and maintenance of building structures. Authorities will continue to investigate the incident to determine the cause of the window glass falling and assess whether any building code violations were involved.
As the investigation into the incident continues, authorities are reminding residents to stay vigilant during periods of high winds to minimize the risk of accidents. The incident in Queens serves as a cautionary tale highlighting the potential dangers posed by falling debris from tall buildings during strong winds. While the two victims involved in this incident escaped serious injury, the outcome could have been far worse if proper precautions were not taken. Building owners and residents are encouraged to ensure the safety of their properties and take appropriate measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
