Smokestack falls on excavator; driver survives

PELL CITY, AL –  A man is grateful to be alive after a demolition project didn't go as planned.    

Crews were demolishing an old smokestack in Alabama when it collapsed on top of an excavator driven by Tim Phifer.

Phifer survived the accident by staying in the cab of the excavator, which he says was a lot safer than trying to jump out.

Phifer has been demolishing buildings for 20 years.

He said he feels blessed that he survived the incident