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A firefighter injured in a construction accident at a problem-plagued Ground Zero skyscraper where two other FDNY members died returned home yesterday.
William Corbetis, 50, of Jackson Heights, Queens, waved and flashed thumbs up from his wheelchair as family and co-workers cheered his exit from St. Vincent's Hospital in Manhattan. Corbetis had surgery to remove his spleen and suffered other injuries in the Aug. 23 incident at the long-empty building, once owned by Deutsche Bank. He spent nine days in the hospital.
Corbetis, an 18-year FDNY veteran, was one of two firefighters hurt when a heavy piece of construction equipment plunged 23 stories to the ground from the building. Colleague Neil Nally, 35, of Commack, was released from the hospital Aug. 24.
It was the third time in four months that firefighters were injured at the formerly 41-story building. Construction crews were dismantling it floor by floor when a deadly fire erupted Aug 18.
Firefighters Joseph Graffagnino and Robert Beddia were killed in the blaze, apparently started by a lit cigarette.
Officials have said a standpipe that sends water through the building was broken when the fire began, leaving more than 100 firefighters unable to beat back the flames. A city investigation in the blaze was continuing.
Corbetis was released a day after Graffagnino's widow blamed city officials for her husband's death and wondered why no one had offered her an apology. "It's sad to say my husband had to die for someone to take notice and take action," Linda Graffagnino said Friday. "No one apologized. I don't know if anyone will."
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