Window washer falls 8 stories in downtown Seattle — and survives
By Seattle Times staff

A 34-year-old window washer fell eight stories and survived late this morning when his safety gear broke his fall.

The man, whose identity wasn’t immediately available, was taken to Harborview Medical Center with injuries that are not life-threatening, according to Seattle Fire Department spokeswoman Dana Vander Houwen.

The man, who fell about 11:20 a.m., was caught by his rope when he reached the second-floor level and the rope “softened” the impact of his fall into an alley.

Vander Houwen said the man was conscious and talking when paramedics arrived.

The man appeared to be in good shape and was talking as he was being loaded into an ambulance, according to Mike O’Donin, manager of the Broadacre Building, where the injured man had been washing the windows.