Falling window washer's boss: 'The systems worked'

Submitted by KOMO Staff on Friday, November 20th, 04:33pm

The employer of a window washer who survived an eight-story plunge from a downtown building says he's thankful the safety systems worked, saving the worker's life.

"It couldn't have been any closer, so ... everything else aside, I'm 100 percent thankful," says Kevin Hansen, who owns window-washing company Morris-Hansen Enterprises.

In an exclusive interview with KOMO News, Hansen said he was in Bellevue when he got the call Thursday that one of his men had a fall.

"You're basically just blank," he says. "You're hoping that it's a fall, somebody's up on their safety, you hope it's just a fall."

And what a fall it was.

Witnesses said window washer Eduardo Lozada was screaming as he fell eight stories or more, smashing part-way through a window before continuing his fall down the side of the building toward the alleyway below.

Surveillance camera footage shows his safety rope catching at the last possible instant, preventing Lozada from smashing bodily into the brick pavement.

"We heard some yelling. We looked over at the window, we saw a body coming through the seventh-floor window and then he ... continued to fall," said eyewitness Robert Kleppen.

Kleppen said he though Lozada was killed in the fall, not realizing that his safety harness stopped him inches from certain death.

As it turns out, the window washer suffered only a broken pinky finger. He was taken away by ambulance and checked out at the hospital, just in case.

"It's very dramatic, but the systems that they use, worked," Hansen says.

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I've got a fever. A fever to SKI.

Submitted by Heather Reese on Friday, November 20th, 02:34pm

Crystal. Baker. White Pass. Stevens.

All open - already.

As if you're not pumped enough to hit the slopes...how 'bout some new gear to go with that powder?

The Ski Fever & Snowboard show is happening this weekend at the Washington State Convention Center:

Stock up on new, trade used and see the latest in snow sports...like doggie skis (??). Yes - the picture below really was taken at the show.

It costs $12 for adults and $3 for kids 6-12. The show is open the following hours:

Friday 1 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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Deck the halls...at the market

Submitted by Heather Reese on Friday, November 20th, 12:28pm

'Tis the season.

A classic 1936 vintage truck will roll a 20-foot holiday tree into Pike Place Market on Monday at noon.

It'll be the centerpiece of the market's always-so-festive decorations. Last year's (snowy!) tree is seen in the picture above via Flickr user scorbette37.

The tree lighting ceremony will take place on November 28th at 5 p.m.

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New grub at Qwest for MLS Cup

Submitted by Heather Reese on Friday, November 20th, 10:54am

There are still tickets available for Sunday's big game at Qwest.

If you didn't know - the superbowl of American soccer is coming to Seattle. The LA Galaxy will face off against Real Salt Lake for the MLS Cup.

Not into soccer?

David Beckham will be playing.

Need another reason?

Qwest will be serving up special food dishes for the occasion:

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Moneytree Inc.
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Bria Pilates & Physical Therapy
Pilates & Physical Therapy in Downtown Seattle.
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Cascade Florists
Delivering flowers throughout the Puget Sound
Davis Law Group, P.S.
Representing Washington Accident Victims & Families Impacted By Wrongful Death.
Martha’s Design Center
Quality Woodwork, Restoration Mouldings, Custom Mantels and Fretwork.
The Gilt Edge Society
Seattle's Premier Hair & Art Studio
Thai Exotic Importers
Your Wholesale Art Connection & Home of Free Meditation Seattle.

Man falls 8 stories in downtown Seattle

Submitted by KOMO Staff on Thursday, November 19th, 07:35pm

A window washer reportedly plunged eight stories from the side of a building Thursday in downtown Seattle, but was stopped by his harness just inches before hitting the ground.

An eyewitness said she heard screams and looked up to see the man dangling from the exterior of the building in an alleyway near Second Avenue and Pine Street.

The man fell seven stories and smashed through a window near the bottom floor, as his harness arrested his fall, the witness said.

The man's arms and legs reportedly struck the floor or wall, but the harness prevented the man's torso from impacting - probably saving his life, the witness said.

The victim was taken from the scene in an ambulance.

According to initial reports, the man who fell was washing windows at the Nordstrom Rack building at the time of the accident.

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Man attacked at 1st and Pike

Submitted by Heather Reese on Thursday, November 19th, 01:55pm

A man says he was walking through a parking lot in the area of 1st and Pike around 2:30 a.m. Thursday morning when he was attacked by three males.

Seattle Police say the victim stated he wasn't able to get a good look at their faces because one of the guys hit him with a baseball bat.

The suspects got away with the victim's wallet.

Shortly after the alleged attack, a citizen saw the victim and called police. The victim was taken to the hospital.

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A major indicator that the holidays are upon us?

Submitted by Heather Reese on Wednesday, November 18th, 02:46pm

The Macy's star.

KOMO photographer Bryan Hollowell watched as it was hoisted onto the store's roof this afternoon.

But it won't actually be illuminated until the day after Thanksgiving.

You know the drill - parade in the morning, Westlake Tree Lighting Ceremony in the evening - followed by fabulous fireworks.

The more than 3,000 light bulbs filling the star will be lit during the ceremony, which starts around 5 p.m..

The star measures 60 feet across by 161 feet high.

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MLS trophy arrives in Seattle

Submitted by Heather Reese on Wednesday, November 18th, 01:46pm

Seattle is playing host this Sunday to American soccer's biggest championship - the MLS Cup.

Today, the hardware arrived via ferry from Bremerton to Pier 52, where MLS Ambassadors gathered to welcome it into the Emerald City.

The big match pits Real Salt Lake against the LA Galaxy (and David Beckham!) at Qwest Field. It starts at 5:30 p.m.

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Improvements begin at Westlake Square

Submitted by Heather Reese on Wednesday, November 18th, 12:34pm

SDOT began restoration work at Westlake Square Wednesday morning.

Crews will remove walking barriers and non-functional items to make the area safer for pedestrians and more transit-friendly.

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Reminder: free lunch TODAY

Submitted by Heather Reese on Wednesday, November 18th, 09:53am

New downtown eatery Sip. at the wine bar & restaurant will be handing out free sliders between noon and 1 p.m. today at their 5th and Madison location.

The restaurant will celebrate its grand opening with a party tomorrow ($20 if you want to go) - and will open for real on Friday.

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