Police: Collapsed scaffold was flawed

AUSTIN (KXAN) - When Austin police inspected pieces of broken scaffolding that collapsed in West Campus in June and killed three construction workers, they found the structure was "negligently erected."

The workers fell as far as 11 stories from the high-rise condo building which was under construction at 21st and Rio Grande streets.

The search warrant revealed that American Mast Climbers "negligently erected" the mast climber which broke as well as an additional scaffold.

The documents claim the parts used were graded below the weight limit needed to support the workers and their equipment.

Lt. Mark Spangler with the Austin Police Department said they want to know if this was purely an accident or potentially criminal due to neglect and bad workmanship.

Police said the management of the construction site as well as the subcontractors are cooperating with their investigation.