Dangerous rescue after collapse at Queens building

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Construction materials crashed through the roof of a building under renovation in Queens Tuesday afternoon. Three workers were hurt. One of them was trapped for almost two hours.

The incident happened at 31-25 28th Road in Astoria around 4 p.m. A crane placed the materials on the roof, which then gave way. The materials fell all the way down to the basement level, the FDNY said.

The collapse trapped three workers. In order to save the men pinned underneath the tons of rubble and materials, firefighters risked their lives in a delicate and methodical rescue operation. They pulled out two men relatively quickly, but then third man's situation was more precarious.

Dozens of firefighters, medics, and police officers worked to free the third worker for more than 90 minutes. Finally, they brought him out at about 5:35 p.m. He appeared conscious as responders carried him on a stretcher to an ambulance.%INLINE%

The FDNY said the trapped man was very scared and in a lot of pain during of the operation to dig him out.

Two workers are listed in serious condition. One is listed in critical.

Officials said the rescue operation was extremely dangerous because the structure was unstable and could have collapsed on the first responders.

Workers were converting the two-family home into a three-family home. They had the proper permits.