FEDERAL BUILDING FALL HURTS RADIO TECHNICIAN

Authorities called it a miracle.

A Cape Girardeau radio communications technician installing an antenna on top of the Cape Girardeau Federal Building fell 30 feet from the roof to the concrete pavement below. Steve Brandon survived with only fractures.

The incident occurred shortly after 10:15 a.m., Thursday, according to Sgt. Carl Kinnison of the Cape Girardeau Police Department.

Kinnison said Brandon, 26, and his partner, Gerald Sorbello, both of Cape Girardeau, were preparing to install the VHF radio transmitting antenna on the roof of the Federal Building. The two men are employed by Johnson Communications Service of Cape Girardeau.

"Brandon and Sorbello were on the roof of the building, close to the overhang on the south side of the building, getting ready to pull the antenna up to them," said Kinnison. "Apparently, the rope broke, causing Brandon to lose his balance and fall off the edge of the overhang of the building. He fell about 30 feet straight down and landed on his back."

During the fall, Brandon narrowly missed an enclosed electrical transformer box.

Kinnison said Sorbello witnessed the accident and went inside to call for an ambulance.

When officers arrived, Brandon was laying on his left side. He was conscious and able to talk to officers and paramedics from the Cape County Private Ambulance Service. Also, he was able to move his hands and feet, a good sign that there were no serious head or spinal cord injuries.

Brandon was transported to St. Francis Medical Center where a spokesman said he was in satisfactory condition late Thursday afternoon. The spokesman confirmed there were no head or spinal cord injuries or internal injuries.