Saturday, June 20, 2015

1 CONSTRUCTION WORKER KILLED, 1 INJURED WHEN THEY FELL FROM SCAFFOLDING WHILE WORKING ON A NEW APARTMENT COMPLEX IN CAMPUSTOWN, IN AMES, IOWA



 Ames Police, Mary Greeley Medical Center and the Ames Fire Department responded to a call in Campustown Friday afternoon, when two construction workers fell from scaffolding while working on a new apartment complex at 2300 Lincoln Way. One worker died and the other was injured and sent to Mary Greeley Medical Center. Photo by Julie Ferrell/Ames Tribune.






JUNE 20, 2015

CAMPUSTOWN, AMES, IOWA



One person has been confirmed dead after two construction workers fell from scaffolding while working on a new six-story apartment complex on the corner of Lincoln Way and Lynn Avenue in Campustown late Friday afternoon.

Ames police, firefighters and Mary Greeley Medical Center rescue crews responded to the scene at approximately 5 p.m. Friday at 2300 Lincoln Way, where Minneapolis-based The Opus Group LLC is working on a new apartment complex called The Foundry.

A press release from the Ames Fire Department said when firefighters arrived, a ladder was required to gain access to the second-story roof, where the two workers had fallen approximately three stories off of scaffolding.

According to Ames police Sgt. Derek Grooters, one of the workers died at the scene and the other was transported to Mary Greeley Medical Center.

The condition of the worker transported to the hospital is not being released. Pending notification of family, the workers’ names have not yet been released.

Ames Deputy Fire Chief Richard Higgins said there were multiple construction companies on site, and it is unknown which company the workers were with. But Higgins said a supervisor overseeing all construction was notified, as well as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Higgins said the cause of the accident is unknown and under investigation.

“What I could see from the ground was everything still looked intact, but something else might come up during the investigation,” he said. “It’s a tragic event. It’s something we train for a lot, and we’re always there to help, but we never want to see a loss of life like this. It’s tough.”

The redeveloped building where the accident happened is located at the former location of the Campus Book Store, and now known as the Foundry. In addition to apartment units geared toward university students, it will feature first-floor retail options, including a Starbucks and Barefoot Campus Outfitters store.