ROBBINSDALE, Minn. -- A construction worker who survived the partial collapse of a building in Maple Grove left the hospital Monday, expressing amazement at his good fortune.
"I'm just amazed ... that I can get up and walk," said Timothy Stanton, 38, who fell 35 feet in Friday's accident. Both he and his doctors at North Memorial Medical Center were surprised his hospital stay hadn't lasted longer.
Dr. John Cumming said it was "remarkable" that Stanton not only escaped with just broken ribs and a concussion, but that more people weren't seriously injured.
Stanton was one of nine workers hurt Friday when sections of freshly poured concrete caused a collapse on the third floor of a future Great River Energy building. Five were treated and released Friday, while one remained in serious condition and two were in fair condition Monday.
Stanton said he couldn't believe their injuries weren't worse.
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"I believe that God had his hand on that job site," he said. "I believe we all walked away with far less injuries than what we should have had. I feel real fortunate myself."
At the building site Monday, engineers from the construction company, McGough Construction, and from the state Occupational Safety and Health Division, began planning their investigation into the cause, said Brad Wood, McGough's executive vice president.
Wood said it's believed several sections of the third floor's support system failed, but investigators will try to determine why.
Stanton told reporters before he slowly made his way to a waiting car that he hopes to be back on the job soon, pouring concrete.
"It's what I know," he said.
