DAVENPORT, Iowa – Part of a six-story apartment building broke off and collapsed in the street, trapping, it was feared three men from upper units in the rubble. Still-standing parts of the building remained constantly in motion, creaking and breakig off. Rescuers held off digging for the missing men for fear that disturbing the rubble would bring down more of the building. Arriving at the scene, rescuers had pulled seven people from the building. Twelve others walked out on their own. Later two more people were rescued, including a woman who was removed from the fourth floor as authorities were beginning to set up for demolition. The collapse occurred shortly before 5 p.m. Missing were Brandon Colvin, Ryan Hitchcock and Daniel Prien There was “high probability” the men were home at the time. All three have since been listed in the national missing persons database.
Rubble too unstable. Rescuers were worried that rubble was supporting remaining walls. Digging for other survivirs could bring everything down, Too dangerous, disturb, they said.