Partial parking garage collapse in Dearborn

A man was rescued Friday night after becoming trapped when part of a parking garage collapsed in Dearborn, according to officials. The collapse occurred around 8:45 p.m. near West Outer Drive and Garrison Place. Dearborn Fire Chief Joseph Murray said the man was inside his vehicle when large chunks of concrete fell onto it, leaving him pinned beneath the debris.

Emergency crews reported that the man was conscious and able to speak with rescuers throughout the operation. He told them he did not believe he had suffered serious injuries, but he was taken to a hospital as a precaution for further evaluation.

Murray said firefighters and police worked closely with building officials to stabilize the damaged structure before attempting the rescue. He described the scene as extremely dangerous due to the massive amount of concrete involved.

“There were thousands and thousands of pounds of concrete that collapsed onto his vehicle,” Murray said, adding that such rescues are complicated because large concrete beams can shift and create further risk for both victims and responders.

Specialized collapse rescue teams were called in, and thanks to their training and assistance from Western Wayne Mutual Aid, crews were able to secure the structure faster than expected.

Despite freezing temperatures that added another layer of difficulty, responders managed to reach the man sooner than anticipated. Murray said the team was relieved to act quickly, noting concerns about the victim being exposed to the cold for too long.

“Once we felt confident the structure was stable, we were able to get to him much faster, which was critical given how cold it was,” he said.