Updated: AUGUST 26, 2015
By: Dave Aeikens and Cleo Greene
The worker killed Wednesday in a 50-foot fall at the U.S. Bank Stadium construction site has been identified by family.
Thirty-five-year-old Jeramie Gruber of Northfield fell into a snow gutter and was trapped. He was one of two workers from Berwald Roofing in North St. Paul on the roof, John Wood, the senior vice president of Mortenson Construction, said.
"A man died on the project today and that should never happen," Wood said.
About 7:45 a.m., Gruber worker fell about 50 feet into the snow gutter and was trapped. Crews used a rescue basket, ropes and cables to free him.
A short time later, officials said another person had been taken by ambulance to a hospital with injuries.
Work on the Vikings stadium has stopped until Thursday, and all construction crews have left the stadium. Many were visibly upset and some were in tears. Counselors are expected to be at the site Thursday for those who need them.
The Vikings issued a statement:
"Today is an extremely sad day for the Minnesota Vikings organization and the entire stadium team. Our sincere thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of the individual who passed away, the worker who remains hospitalized, and the more than 1,000 dedicated construction workers who are on the site every day and are also affected by this accident."
Construction on the more than $1 billion stadium started more than a year ago and is expected to be completed in July of 2016. The 66,200 seat-stadium is 1,750,000 square feet and is being built in Minneapolis' Downtown East neighborhood, where the Metrodome used to stand.
The Legislature in 2012 approved $348 million, and the city of Minneapolis approved $150 million toward the construction of the stadium. The Vikings and other private sources are responsible for the remainder of the cost.
U.S. Bank Stadium has already booked the Super Bowl, basketball's Final Four and is bidding to host the college football national championship game.