Two window washers' lives were literally hanging in the balance as they were rescued after being stuck on scaffolding at 1 World Trade Center, officials said Wednesday afternoon.
The shaky scaffolding, which is suspended around the 69th floor, was seen dangling at an unstable angle, according to images that surfaced of the scene.
The workers were dangling at a 65-degree angle, according to NYPD counterterrorism czar John Miller.
Miller spoke briefly about the window-washing incident before giving testimony at a City Council hearing.
stuck at the 69th floor of 1 World Trade Center on Wednesday.
"Ironically, as we sit here talking about the coordination between agencies and emergency management in the city of New York, at the World Trade Center on the 69th floor, two workers are dangling at a 65-degree angle after the scaffolding partially collapsed," said Miller.
He added that the NYPD, the Port Authority, FDNY and the Office of Emergency Management are "working together to resolve this issue with lives that are very literally and figuratively hanging in the balance."
Earthcam
The scaffolding (circled) was stuck on the side of 1 World Trade Center. A law enforcement source told the Daily News that the glass will have to be cut out.
"They have to cut the glass out," the source said. "(Port Authority) ESU personnel are all trained on how to do that. That probably should not be a problem, but who knows."
The terrifying incident began about 12:45 p.m. on the south side of the building, according to CBS New York.
Emergency rescuers rushed to the scene and are currently trying to secure the scaffolding.
The 1,776-foot-high tower just opened last week in Lower Manhattan, and stands as the tallest structure in America. Conde Nast employees just moved into their new digs at 1 WTC earlier this month.
