The family of Branden Colvin Sr confirmed on Saturday he was found deceased at the six-story apartment building in Davenport, Iowa, that partially collapsed on Sunday, 28 May.
Colvin’s 18-year-old son, Branden Colvin Jr, had been sleeping outside of the building awaiting news on his father. “I know my dad’s in there and there’s nothing I can do … wishing I could just run in there,” Colvin Jr told ABC News on Wednesday.
Colvin Sr’s body was recovered on Saturday, city spokeswoman Sarah Ott said on Sunday.
City officials had named Colvin Sr as one of three individuals including Ryan Hitchcock and Daniel Prien who were still unaccounted for, noting they “have high probability of being home at the time of the collapse and their apartments were located in the collapse zone”.
Colvin Sr is the first confirmed fatality in the building collapse where at least one individual was injured. Quanishia “Peach” Berry was rescued in rubble from the collapse and required her leg to be amputated in order to be pulled free.
Residents and locals have criticized officials for what they say was an inept response prior to and following the building’s collapse.
A structural engineer’s report dated four days before the collapse indicated a wall of the building was at imminent risk of crumbling, but no warning was given to residents by the building owner or city officials before the collapse.
Initial rescue crews pulled seven people from the building after the collapse and escorted 12 others out. Two other individuals were later rescued from the building, including a woman saved from the fourth floor hours after the building was cleared and slated for demolition. The planned demolition was delayed following the rescue. Crews began removing pieces of the building on Friday to facilitate recovery efforts.
