Man survives 13-story fall

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A window washer survived a 13-story plunge down the side of an Alabama hospital tower, landing in newly planted bushes and mulch, which helped break his fall, authorities said Friday.

Birmingham Fire Battalion Chief C.W. Mardis said the worker was getting onto a platform outside the building Thursday when his safety equipment malfunctioned. The gear slowed his descent some, and he was conscious when he was taken to UAB Hospital, where he’s recovering, Mardis said.

“He fell into a landscaping area with freshly planted bushes and mulch,” Mardis said. “So that kind of broke his fall.”