Falling duct injures two workers

DURHAM -- Two women suffered minor injuries at a Research Triangle Park business Thursday afternoon when the duct from an air-conditioning unit fell from a ceiling, the company's president said.

Emergency workers took the women to Duke University Medical Center.

"I actually talked with one of the ladies," said Bill Hudson, president of LC Industries at 4500 Emperor Blvd. "She seemed to be fine and didn't want to go to the hospital but I told her: 'Let's get you to the hospital and make sure you are all right.'"

The mishap occurred about 2 p.m. in a rear building of the company, which employs the visually impaired.

Hudson said an air-conditioning repair company was reinstalling bracing that held an air-conditioning unit in place because it had not been installed properly. The bracing gave way and the cooling system's ductwork fell on the women. It also struck a sprinkler system that flooded the building.