A partially collapsed scaffolding hangs from the 1 World Trade Center in New York Wednesday. Two window washers were stuck on the scaffolding for nearly two hours before being rescued. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
NEW YORK (AP) -- New York City officials don't yet know why a cable malfunctioned and left a scaffold dangling precariously on the 1 World Trade Center tower, where two window washers were stuck for nearly two hours before a dramatic rescue.<br />
<br />
Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro (NEYE'-groh) says firefighters used diamond cutters to saw through a two-layered glass window and bring the workers to safety Wednesday afternoon.<br />
<br />
He says the workers had mild hypothermia after their ordeal outside the 69th floor of the nation's tallest building.<br />
<br />
It started around 12:40 p.m., when one of four cables holding the scaffold developed some slack. The open-topped platform tilted to a nearly vertical position and swayed slightly in the wind.<br />
<br />
The workers were harnessed to the platform, and firefighters also lowered ropes from the roof.
