Lawyer: Woman Buried in Philadelphia Collapse Lost Legs

A woman who survived nearly 13 hours in the rubble of a building collapse that killed six people in Philadelphia has lost both legs at the pelvis.

The woman’s attorney tells The Philadelphia Inquirer that 52-year-old Mariya Plekan remains hospitalized in serious condition after a brick wall collapsed onto an adjacent thrift store June 5, burying her in debris.

Attorney Andrew Stern says Plekan’s lower extremities were crushed. He says she prayed constantly and called for help until firefighters heard her cries and dug her out.

Stern intends to sue.

A demolition subcontractor has been charged with six counts of involuntary manslaughter after police say he was high on marijuana and painkillers while operating heavy equipment just before the collapse.