MEDFORD, Mass. — A woman walking down Riverside Avenue with a coffee in hand was struck by a large metal awning before 9 a.m. Thursday morning. The woman, whose name was not immediately available, is in stable condition at a hospital, according to a spokesperson for the city of Medford. Following Thursday’s Nor’easter, the awning was covered in snow; half of it collapsed, while the other half remained until construction crews removed it. The awning is part of a block with restaurants and retail businesses in a busy section of the city.
“I was looking at the snow, but then I saw the whole thing fall and I heard it as well,” said Michelle Machado, a witness who works across the street from where the awning fell.
She called police then ran over to help and was joined by many others who lifted the awning up off of the injured woman as first responders arrived to treat her and take to her to the hospital.
Businesses along this stretch, including Tenoch Mexican Taqueria, were unable to open until at least 1:30 p.m., when crews began to remove the fallen awning and carefully removed the remaining portion.
A police detail will remain at the scene of the incident until the area is considered secure, according a spokesperson.
“I’m thankful nothing happened here, I know the other businesses they’re struggling with the Covid and everything,” said Alyssa McCarthy, owner of Hairspace Salon & Spa.
Alex Tsitos said off-camera that he is the owner of the building from which the awning fell and said he did not know the woman hurt or how long the awning had been there.
The Medford Building Department is in the midst of reviewing the incident along with police, a city spokesperson added.
Cox Media Group
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