2 Rescued From Scaffolding Stuck 20 Stories Up in Lower Manhattan: Officials

Two workers trapped on scaffolding about 20 stories high after an apparent equipment malfunction in lower Manhattan have been rescued, authorities say.

Fire officials said the workers were trapped on the scaffolding at a high-rise building that houses federal offices on Broadway near Reade Street around 1:30 p.m. Monday.

"The scaffold was swaying back and forth," said Thioma Onyekene, who watched the rescue at the Ted Weiss Federal Building from the sidewalk below. "It was kind of scary looking at it." 

Authorities said the scaffolding was level, but an equipment malfunction prevented the workers from being able to move it up or down. Firefighters helped them into the building.

No injuries were reported, but the workers were evaluated.

Multiple fire trucks converged on the scene, and federal Department of Homeland Security police taped off the busy block near City Hall. 

A spokeswoman for the U.S. General Services Administration said the scaffold had been tested recently and had no history of problems.

-- Roseanne Colletti contributed to this report 

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