At 9:17 a.m. Monday, it was reported that a construction worker had fallen approximately 12 feet through a ceiling at a apartment townhome construction site at Marie Place (behind Springfield Avenue near Millburn Avenue) and had been removed via rope.

By the time Patch arrived on scene at 9:30 a.m., there were no signs of emergency vehicles at the busy construction site.

Captain Joseph Callaghan of the Maplewood FD filled us in on what had happened. "A construction worker fell through a third floor ceiling at the new construction site, falling approximately 8-10 feet. He was complaining of neck and back pain. C-spine precautions were observed (board and collar) and he was removed via a basket through the interior stairway by Ladder 31 & Rescue 36 personnel. There was no rope rescue."

Callaghan reported that the victim was transported on board Rescue 36 to UMDNJ in Newark. Said Callaghan, "He was alert and conscious during transport."