Woman Hospitalized After Being Struck By Falling Debris In Manhattan

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - A woman was hospitalized Friday after being hit by falling debris in SoHo.

The woman was struck by a 2x4 which fell from a building at around 1 p.m. at 580 Broadway at Prince Street, according to the FDNY.

She was loaded onto a stretcher and appeared to be alert, CBS2's Valerie castro reported.

"I looked up and something came out of the window and ... I was taking care of customers," said a sunglass vendor who witnessed the incident. "I looked and saw she was bleeding."

Tony Merevick, who works nearby, reported by email that he spoke with two witnesses to the accident. One man named John said the board fell from the seventh floor of the building and hit the woman, who was seen lying on the sidewalk.

People crowded around the woman and saw her lying on the sidewalk, and first responders also rushed to the scene to help her, the man said.

The building does have work permits posted on the door, Castro reported. But the Department of Buildings said it was not called out to the scene.

That could indicate the piece of wood that fell did not come from an authorized construction project, Castro reported.

Those outside on the street said they hope the woman's injuries aren't serious. "I pray for her to make sure that lady is alright," said the sunglass vendor.

The woman was rushed to Bellevue Hospital to be treated for her injuries. The extent of those injuries are still unknown, Castro reported.

The NYPD is not investigating this as a crime.