Scaffolding collapse kills 3 in Chicago

The scaffolding hit several cars on the street below.

CHICAGO (CNN) -- Three people were killed and five others injured when scaffolding on the side of the John Hancock tower in downtown Chicago broke away Saturday, crushing three cars below, according to a spokesman for the Chicago Fire Department.

Four of the five injured were hurt seriously, while one other person had more minor injuries, the spokesman said.

The three people killed were in the cars at the time of the accident Saturday afternoon. No one was on the scaffolding, which was supposed to be secured to the building over the weekend.

The scaffolding fell from the 43rd floor of the 100-story tower. After the accident, a two-block-square area was sealed off because more of the scaffolds still dangled from the building.

The weather at the time of the incident was windy with snow flurries.

At 100 stories, the John Hancock tower, on North Michigan Avenue, is one of Chicago's tallest buildings, with 2.8 million square feet of offices, apartments and commercial space.