Ambulance Seen Outside White House After ‘Medical Emergency’

Emergency crews descended on the White House Monday afternoon after a construction worker was injured while working high above the building’s famous North Portico, sparking immediate concern as ambulances and first responders appeared outside the presidential residence.

The emergency had nothing to do with President Donald Trump, who was not at the White House when the incident unfolded.

Firefighters and paramedics were called to perform what dispatchers described as a “high-angle rescue” after the male worker became injured while crews were removing scaffolding surrounding the North Portico.

Photos and video from the scene showed first responders wearing helmets and climbing ladders to reach the worker on the elevated scaffolding.

Rescuers eventually brought him down using a stretcher and rescue basket before he was placed inside an ambulance and taken to a nearby hospital.

The worker appeared conscious during the rescue, and a Washington, D.C., Fire and EMS spokesperson said his injuries were not considered life-threatening.

The dramatic response initially raised questions about whether someone inside the White House had suffered a medical emergency.

NewsNation reporter Hannah Brandt posted from the scene that an ambulance was outside the North Portico and first responders could be seen on the scaffolding surrounding the columns.

It soon became clear that the emergency involved a member of the construction crew.

The scaffolding has surrounded the North Portico for weeks as workers carry out restoration and security improvements to one of the White House’s most recognizable entrances.

Officials have said the project includes repairs to stonework around the towering columns along with security upgrades at the front of the building. The work is expected to be completed around the middle of September.

Large printed coverings had concealed much of the construction since July, but the tarps were recently removed, leaving the scaffolding exposed.

Crews were in the process of taking that scaffolding down Monday when the worker was injured.

The restoration is part of a broader series of projects underway at the White House under Trump.

The North Portico work has taken on added urgency ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s planned visit later in September. Trump has pushed to have several renovation projects completed before the high-profile visit.

Trump was away from the White House when Monday’s emergency occurred.

Authorities have not publicly released the worker’s identity or additional details about exactly how he was injured.