MEC&F Expert Engineers : 08/26/15

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Woman burned in Trenton, New Jersey fire dies of injuries



Damage to homes in the 200 block of Hills Place after a 4-alarm fire on Friday night , August 14, 2015. The homes were soon demolished. photo by Michael Walker, City of Trenton
Michael Mancuso | For NJ.com

  By Kevin Shea | For NJ.com
 
on August 25, 2015 at 7:49 PM




TRENTON, NJ


 The 21-year-old woman badly burned earlier this month in a massive fire on Hills Place has died of her injuries, officials said.

Nileasia Jones was flown to Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia shortly after the Aug. 14 fire erupted on Hills Place.

A city official identified Jones Tuesday, saying fire officials were informed she had succumbed to her injuries. Further details regarding her death were not available Tuesday.

Hills Place Fire in Trenton

 One person was critically injured and 13 people were left homeless after a blaze ripped through five homes in Trenton on Friday night. (Video courtesy of Michael A. Walker)

The fire, believed to have been caused gasoline cans stored in one of the homes, eventually destroyed five homes on the narrow street in South Trenton.

Firefighters arrived at the blaze at 10 p.m. to find two of the home engulfed in fire and a third was quickly burning.

Police officers were first on scene and found a severely burned woman standing outside. A police spokesman said the woman suffered burns to about 80 percent of her body.

The woman was dragged from the house by a male occupant, who sustained non life threatening burns to his hands, police have said.


By the time firefighters had the fire under control about three hours later, the blaze had jumped an open space and spread to two other homes, the fire department said.

The homes were torn down the next day. The fire left over a dozen people homeless.

The fire department, Trenton police detectives and the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office are investigating the fire.

Woman tree trimmer killed after a branch fell and pinned her against the tree in Rochester, Minnesota




Woman dies in tree trimming accident 

Posted: August 24, 2015
By Kimberly Davis, Anchor/Reporter




ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) -

A shocking discovery in a southwest Rochester neighborhood where a tree trimming job took a life. According to police, that woman just finished eating lunch with the family she was working for, when they found her pinned to the tree in the backyard lifeless.

Police said a 58-year-old woman was trimming trees on the 800 Block of 25th Street Southwest around 4:15 p.m. Saturday. The homeowners did not hear the woman trimming trees for quite some time, and when they went to check on her she had died. Police said a branch fell and pinned her against the tree. The branch was 3 feet wide, and 20 to 30 feet long. The woman had a small business, and the neighbors friends referred her to them.

Police believe the incident was accidental.

Female driver killed in head-on, wrong-way crash on I-55 in Tangipahoa Parish in Louisiana



A woman has died after colliding head-on while she was driving the wrong way on Interstate 55 in Tangipahoa Parish, according to Louisiana State Police. (Louisiana State Police)

  By Renita D. Young, NOLA.com | The Times Picayune
 
on August 26, 2015



A woman has died after colliding head-on while she was driving the wrong way on Interstate 55 in Tangipahoa Parish.

Louisiana State Police Trooper Dustin Dwight said just before 3 a.m. on Wednesday (Aug. 26), troopers received a call that a vehicle was driving northbound in the southbound lanes of I-55 between Independence and Amite, La.

But about two minutes later, two vehicles collided head-on in the same area and ultimately claimed the life of Summer Allen Graves, 22, of Amite, La.

According to Dwight, Graves was driving a Dodge Caravan northbound in the left southbound lane of I-55 at the same time 63-year-old Jackie Hatfield of Columbia, Miss. was driving southbound in the same lane.

But when the two vehicles crashed head-on in the southbound lane, Graves wasn't wearing her seatbelt and was pronounced dead on the scene. Hatfield was wearing his seatbelt and was taken to Northoaks Hospital where he was treated for minor injuries.

Officers suspect Graves may have been impaired at the time of the crash, and have taken a blood sample from both drivers to send to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for analysis.

Louisiana State Troopers remind residents and visitors that all vehicle occupants must wear a seatbelt, regardless of seating position.

A man and a woman were killed when their speeding Harley-Davidson motorcycle crashed into a fence Tuesday night near Gap in Pennsylvania



6th fatal motorcycle crash in 2015
Man and woman killed when speeding motorcycle crashes into fence near Gap

RYAN ROBINSON and JENNIFER TODD
Updated 2 hrs ago


A man and a woman were killed when their speeding motorcycle crashed into a fence Tuesday night near Gap, authorities said.

Names of the operator and passenger have not been released because police are notifying their family members, state police Trooper Justin D. Marquis said in a press release.

Lancaster County Coroner Dr. Stephen Diamantoni said only that the victims are a man and a woman and their identifications will be released once family members are notified.



Their Harley-Davidson cycle was traveling at a high rate of speed when it crashed into a fence at a left curve in the road in the 400 block of School Lane Road, Marquis said. It happened at around 8:15 p.m. near Salisbury Elementary School.

A deputy coroner pronounced both riders dead at the scene, Diamantoni said.

The two are the sixth and seventh people killed in the six fatal motorcycle accidents in the county so far this year, newspaper records show. Five people were killed in the five fatal motorcycle crashes in 2014.

Tuesday’s motorcycle wreck was the first in the county that killed more than one person since 2010, newspaper records show. That year, 19 people died on motorcycles here, including seven in just four days.

Five motorcyclists were killed and a sixth injured when three motorcycles collided with a van on Route 72 between Auction Road and Graystone Road in Penn Township June 27, 2010. Killed were Joshua Pennington, 27, of East Earl Township; Linda Lapp and her husband, Samuel, both 48 and residents of New Holland; and Amy Wilhelm, 50, and her husband, Dennis "Butch" Wilhelm, 43, of Manheim Township. A sixth motorcyclist, 27-year-old Kristin Skowood of East Earl Township, survived.


On June 24 that year, two 20-year-old friends from New Providence, Scott Matthew Bachman and Jeremy Stephen Rineer, died when their motorcycle hit a tree that had been knocked across Marticville Road, Martic Township, by a summer storm.

Forty people have died in traffic accidents in the county this year, newspaper records show. Twenty-nine died by the same date in 2014, according to newspaper records.

The Berwald Roofing worker killed Wednesday in a 50-foot fall at the U.S. Bank Stadium construction site has been identified by family.










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.

A 22-year-old man was killed, 2 injured in a two-car collision in White Pigeon Township, MI




Corky Emrick/Journal One person died Tuesday in this two-car crash.One person died Tuesday in this two-car crash.


By Corky Emrick
Twitter: @CorkyESJ
Posted August 25, 2015

White Pigeon Township, MI

A 22-year-old man was killed in a two-car crash Tuesday on Dickinson Road near Sevison Road in White Pigeon Township.

The crashed occurred just before 7 p.m.

Michigan State Police said a car the man was driving pulled out of a driveway and into the path of another vehicle traveling on Dickinson Road. 

Two people in the second vehicle were injured. Both were taken to Bronson Methodist Hospital, one of them airlifted.

Further details were not available at press time. Troopers were continuing their investigation.

Assisting troopers were White Pigeon Fire Department, LifeCare Ambulance, St. Joseph County Sheriff's deputies and West Michigan AirCare.

Man loses control of his 2010 Harley-Davidson motorcycle, crashes and dies in Clay, New York




  By Samantha House | shouse@syracuse.com
  August 26, 2015


CLAY, N.Y. -- 


A Brewerton man was killed Tuesday night in Clay after he was ejected from his motorcycle.

Richard Primerano was traveling west on Verplank Road around 7:56 p.m. when he tried to pass a vehicle that was attempting to turn into a driveway, said Detective Jon Seeber, of the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office.

While passing the vehicle, Primerano lost control and was thrown off of his 2010 Harley-Davidson motorcycle, Seeber said. He landed in a culvert in front of 4683 Verplank Road.

Primerano was rushed to Upstate University Hospital by a Northern Onondaga Volunteer Ambulance crew, Seeber said. The 57-year-old man died at the Syracuse hospital.

A stretch of Verplank Road between Henry Clay Boulevard and Van Hoesen Road was closed for hours while deputies investigated the accident. The road is now open.

The fatal crash remains under investigation.

6 injured in multi-vehicle crash in North Wales, Pennsylvania


6 injured in multi-vehicle crash in North Wales
Six people are injured after a multi-vehicle crash in North Wales, Montgomery County.

The three car crash occurred just after 4:00 p.m. Wednesday at the intersection of Horsham and Upper State roads.

Five ambulances have been called to the scene along with one medical helicopter.

No further details have been released.

A 5-year-old child seriously injured after was hit by a car in Flatbush, Brooklyn.


Shannon Sohn is over the scene in NewsCopter7
A 5-year-old child seriously injured after was hit by a car in Flatbush, Brooklyn.

It happened at the intersection of E. 22nd Street and Ditmas Avenue around 5:30 p.m.

The child was taken to Kings County Hospital in serious condition with head injuries.

The cause of the accident remains under investigation.

1 driver killed after 3-vehicle high-speed fiery collision on I-35W in Fort Worth, Texas





By: FOX4News.com Staff


Updated:Aug 26 2015 07:23AM CDT

FORT WORTH, Texas - 


Interstate 35W in Fort Worth is open again after a fiery crash that killed one person.

The accident happened just before midnight Tuesday in the southbound lanes of the freeway near the Ripy Street exit.

Police said an 18-wheeler that was pulling two trailers was hit by a speeding SUV. Then a minivan crashed into the SUV.

The SUV caught fire and the driver inside was killed.

The driver of the minivan also suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The freeway was shut down for about three hours while police investigated

Crash involving a chlorine hazardous materials spill on Northbound Highway 99 in Bakerfield, CA


NB Hwy 99 reopening after chemical spill
By BakersfieldNow staff 

Published: August 26, 2015





  
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) - Northbound Highway 99 was closed Wednesday morning at 7th Standard Road because of a crash involving a hazardous materials spill.

The California Highway Patrol reported the reopening of some northbound lanes around 11:45 a.m. The right lane would stay closed until about 4 p.m., according to the CHP.

Southbound Hwy. 99 remained open.

A CHP officer on scene said the truck was going a little too fast and hit the back of another vehicle, causing the load of chemicals to spill. The driver wasn't hurt.

The officer described the chemical as a "chlorine-based liquid."

3 people killed in a fiery collision with tree in Lake County, Illinois early Wednesday morning




Three people were killed in a crash in Lake County early Wednesday morning. Susan Carlson reports. (Published Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015) 


Updated Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Three people were killed in a fiery crash in north suburban Lake County early Wednesday morning.

The Fox Lake Fire Department said the accident happened just after 1:30 a.m. on Rollins Road near Fairfield in Ingleside.


A Kia Optima traveling on Rollins Road east of West Lake Shore Drive drove off the roadway, hit a tree and burst into flames.

Police said three people were in the vehicle at the time of the crash, but details on genders and ages of the victims were not immediately known.


The Lake County Coroner was called to the scene.

The license plates on the vehicle did not belong to the Optima, which has made it harder for police to identify the victims, police said.


The cause of the crash remained under investigation.

"It's just a dangerous curve in the middle of a forest preserve with no lights or anything," said area resident Dave Sterbenz. "The only lines you see are the center line and it's not really that wide at that point, but there have been so many single car crashes there."


Detectives say it's not clear whether speed was a factor and urged drivers to use caution while driving at night.

"At night time you have to use a little more caution, but it's unknown what the reason is this accident happened," said Detective Christopher Covelli with the Lake County Sheriff's office.


Check back for details on this developing story.

Pickup driver killed after collision with Union Pacific train in Elmira, Idaho when he failed to yield








Posted: Wednesday, August 26, 2015



ELMIRA, IDAHO


A motorist was fatally injured Tuesday in a collision with a Union Pacific Railroad train at an at-grade crossing.

Idaho State Police said James R. Lee was eastbound on Elmira Road when he failed to stop for the train. 


The northbound locomotive collided into the passenger side of his Lee’s Ford F-250 pickup truck.

Pickup driver accidentally stepped on the gas instead of the brake and smashes into a Chick-Fil-A in Anderson, SC




Police said a truck crashed into the Anderson Chick-fil-A. (Aug. 25, 2015/FOX Carolina)

(Aug. 25, 2015/FOX Carolina)

 

(Aug. 25, 2015/FOX Carolina)

(Aug. 25, 2015/FOX Carolina)
 



Truck crashes into Anderson Chick-fil-A 

Updated: August 26, 2015
By Heather Moylan


ANDERSON, SC (FOX Carolina) -

The Anderson Police Department responded to a scene at the Chick-Fil-A on Tuesday night.

According to Lt. Tony Tilley, a driver crashed into the restaurant on E. Greenville St. just after 7 p.m.

Emergency responders treated several victims who were inside the restaurant at the time of the crash. Tilley said the injuries appeared to be minor.

It appears the driver accidentally stepped on the gas instead of the brake, Tilley said.

The driver is not expected to face charges for the crash.

U.S. EPA Releases Internal Report on Gold King Mine Response








AUGUST 26, 2015

WASHINGTON, DC


Today (August 26, 2015) the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the findings of an internal review of the agency’s response to the Gold King Mine incident. Led by five EPA personnel from multiple EPA regions and Headquarters, the reviewers were tasked with developing a detailed, chronological description of events as well as identifying potential factors contributing to the release.

The report provides observations, conclusions, and recommendations that regions may apply to ongoing and planned site assessments, investigations, and construction or removal projects at similar types of sites across the country. EPA will implement all the recommendations from the report and has shared its findings with external reviewers.

In addition to the internal review, the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) is leading an independent assessment of the factors that led to the Gold King Mine incident. The assessment began on Tuesday, August 18, and it is anticipated that DOI will provide the assessment report to EPA and the public within 60 days. The goal of DOI’s independent review is to provide EPA with an analysis of the incident that took place at Gold King Mine, including the contributing causes. Details about the independent review will be made available by DOI when they become available. Both internal and external reviews will help inform EPA with ongoing and planned site assessments, investigations, and construction or removal projects.

To read the report and its associated documents:
http://www2.epa.gov/goldkingmine/internal-investigation-documents

Homeowner charged with conspiracy, arson in Fifth Avenue, St. Vital fire, explosion that sent 1 person to hospital in critical condition


Homeowner charged with conspiracy, arson in Fifth Avenue fire, explosion
Incident sent 1 person to hospital in critical condition

CBC News 
Posted: August 26, 2015

Winnipeg, Canada


Winnipeg police say they've made arrests in connection with Tuesday morning's fire and explosion on Fifth Avenue in St. Vital. (Jeff Stapleton/CBC)








A homeowner and his partner are accused of conspiring to destroy his home in Winnipeg's Old St. Vital neighbourhood by hiring someone else to set it on fire, according to police.

Todd Vandal, 40, has been charged with conspiracy to commit an indictable offence and arson with disregard for human life in connection with Tuesday's house fire and explosion on Fifth Avenue.

A 32-year-old woman faces the same charges. Winnipeg police did not release her name but said she is in a "domestic relationship" with Vandal.

Investigators say they believe Vandal and the woman hired a 26-year-old man to enter the home, while they were not there, and start a fire inside. He was seriously injured in the blaze.  

Emergency crews were called to a house near the intersection of Des Meurons Street and Fifth Avenue shortly after 5 a.m. Tuesday.

No one was found inside the house and most of the damage was confined to the basement, according to police.

Police spokesperson Const. Jason Michalyshen said as firefighters were extinguishing the blaze, emergency personnel learned that a man had been seen breaking into the home.

"While the individual was within the home and setting the fire, there was an explosion and a significant fire. His injuries are extensive," Michalyshen told reporters on Wednesday.

Police said the injured 26-year-old man was seen leaving the scene on a bike. He later met up with someone in the 100 block of Smith Street in the city's downtown.

"When he made contact with that individual, clearly he was in dire need of medical assistance," Michalyshen said.

The man was taken to hospital, where he remains in critical but stable condition as of Wednesday morning. Police did not release his name but said he had worked for Vandal in the past.

"His injuries are considered very serious. He's critical, but I understand stable condition," Michalyshen said. "No charges had been laid with respect to this individual at this time. His priority right now is medical care."

Michalyshen would not discuss possible motives for the fire.

Vandal remains in custody, while the woman has been released on a promise to appear in court.

Anyone with further information about the fire is asked to call investigators at 204-986-2857 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS (8477).
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/homeowner-charged-with-conspiracy-arson-in-fifth-avenue-fire-explosion-1.3204423

5-vehicle crash, 200 gallons gasoline spilled on 59 Eastex Freeway in Houston, Texas

5-vehicle accident now clear after morning traffic snarl on Eastex Fwy

The Eastex Freeway HOV lanes will be open for afternoon drive time
All main lanes of the 59 Eastex Freeway near Rankin are now open after a five-vehicle accident this morning.

An 18-wheeler that was traveling southbound on the freeway crashed into the HOV lane and jumped the barrier. Roughly 200 gallons of gasoline were spilled on the roadway as a result of the crash. Four other vehicles also crashed, with at least one landing on its side.

A witness described the accident as "horrific," saying the 18-wheeler drove across all lanes of traffic.

Houston Police Department Sgt. G.T. Hall echoed that report, telling Eyewitness News, "We had an 18-wheeler that was apparently in the right lane of five lanes, and for whatever reason, came into lane four, struck a vehicle, the 18-wheeler went to the right onto the shoulder, then came back left, taking out four other vehicles on his way over as he crossed over over here in the HOV lanes."

The Texas Department of Transportation says the HOV lane sustained significant damage, but the lane appears to be back in place and the scene clear of glass and twisted metal that had littered the highway earlier this morning.

A multi-alarm fire that forced 30 people from their apartments in Upper Merion Township, PA has been ruled accidental.

Fire forces residents from Montco apartments

Officials have ruled the blaze accidental. It destroyed several units and left a number of families looking for another place to stay.
A multi-alarm fire that forced 30 people from their apartments in Upper Merion Township has been ruled accidental.

The blaze broke out at around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Abrams Run Apartments in the 300 block of Bill Smith Boulevard.

Firefighters arrived to heavy flames showing on the second floor of one of the two-story buildings in the complex.

A woman who lived in the apartment where the fire appears to have started said she was lying in bed when she smelled something.

She put her hand to the wall and it was hot. She then went on her balcony and saw flames.

She told Action News that she ran and began knocking on doors.

Sixteen units were damaged and half of them were destroyed, along with half of the roof.

Nearby wires and a transformer also caught on fire.

Peco crews arrived on the scene and and shut of the gas.

All the residents managed to get out safely.

The Red Cross is assisting twenty residents.

Large fire destroys home in Logan in Philadelphia, PA


A fire destroyed a home in the Logan section of Philadelphia Wednesday morning.
A fire destroyed a home in the Logan section of Philadelphia Wednesday morning.

Firefighters were called to the 4600 block of North 16th Street.

Early reports indicated that a person was trapped in the house.

So far, there is no word on any injuries from the house fire.

Medics arrived on the scene, but they treated a possible injury that was not related to the fire.

The cause of the blaze is under investigation.

HE SAVED US FROM KILLING HIM: Disgruntled black man kills himself after killing cameraman and reporter during a live report in Virginia, then posting his killings online


Official: Suspect in TV news crew shooting dies




A cameraman and reporter are dead after a gunman opened fire during a live report in Virginia.



Updated 2 mins ago
MONETA, Va. -- The former anchor that opened fire during a live report in Virginia killing a reporter and a photographer is dead.

A press conference is underway in Virginia. Here's what we know so far:


Both journalists died at the scene

The suspect died in a hospital from a self-inflicted gunshot wound

The third victim is recovering at a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries

Virginia State Police say that as they were pursuing the suspect in an on-air fatal shooting, he ran off the road and crashed, and was found suffering from a gunshot wound. The FBI was involved in the manhunt. He later died in hospital.

The suspect is 41-year-old Vester Lee Flanagan II, of Roanoke, says Becky Coyner with dispatch and records at the Augusta County Sheriff's Office. He went by Bryce Williams on air, according to WHSV, the ABC affiliate in the Shenandoah Valley. Gov. Terry McAuliffe said that the shooter was a "disgruntled employee."


Local TV station WDBJ, a CBS affiliate serving the Roanoke-Lynchburg television market, confirmed that the reporter and cameraman were fatally shot on air when a gunman opened fire during a report about tourism at a shopping center.




The victims were reporter Alison Parker, 24, and cameraman Adam Ward, 27. Jeffrey A. Marks, the station's general manager, described how it happened.




"Alison screamed and started running away. By that time we believe Adam was already shot. Alison was shot as she ran away," Marks said.

In a later broadcast Marks said Flanagan had to be escorted by police out of the station when he was fired. Marks described him as "an unhappy man" and "difficult to work with," always "looking out for people to say things he could take offense to."

In an emotional moment on air Marks went on to say, "I'm not really sure if I want him to live or die."



Parker grew up in Martinsville, Va., and attended Patrick Henry Community College and James Madison University. She previously worked at WCTI NewsChannel 12 in Jacksonville, North Carolina, near Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. She was an avid kayaker and attended community theater events in her spare time. Ward, the cameraman, attended Salem High School and Virginia Tech, the station reported.

Marks said that both victims were in relationships with other members of the station's staff. Parker reportedly brought in balloons Wednesday morning for Ward's fiancee, who was celebrating her last day on the job.

An anchor for the station, Chris Hurst, wrote on social media that he was Parker's boyfriend, posting a tribute to her.




"We have other members of the team with us today holding back tears, frankly," Marks said.

A third victim in the shooting was Vicki Gardner, according to a spokesperson for Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. She is a "close friend and member of the Carilion Franklin Memorial Hospital Board of Directors," the spokesperson said. She underwent emergency surgery and is currently recovering in stable condition.

Marks also reflected on the dangers of live reporting.

"You send people into war zones, you send people into dangerous situations, riots, and you worry that they're going to get hurt. You send somebody to do a story on tourism, how can you ever expect something like this to happen?" he said.




Schools in the area were placed on lockdown in response to the situation.




The shooting occurred when the team was covering a story at Bridgewater Plaza, a recreational facility with shops, restaurants, a mini golf course and boat rentals, ABC News reports. Moneta is about 25 miles southeast of Roanoke.

ABC News received a 23-page fax from someone claiming to be Bryce Williams. It was turned it over to authorities. Out of an abundance of caution, the NYPD has increased security outside TV stations in New York City, including WABC.

Check back for more updates as they are available.

The Associated Press and ABC News contributed to this report.

Electrician electrocuted by 12,000 volt line in North Little Rock, Arkansas


Contract worker shocked in NLR accident


By ArkansasOnline

AUGUST 26, 2015
North Little Rock, AR


A contract worker was electrocuted in an accident that also caused a power failure, authorities said Wednesday.

North Little Rock Fire Department Fire Marshal John Pflasterer said the man was working shortly before 11:15 a.m. on a 12,000-volt line on Willow Beach Road when part of it fell on him. The man was airlifted to UAMS Medical Center with what Pflasterer estimated were burns to 20 percent of his upper body.

"But he was conscious when our guys got there," Pflasterer said, describing the worker as a white man in his 30s.

Jill Ponder, energy services manager for the agency, said the worker had sustained unspecified injuries. She said she had no further information.

"We ask that the public keep him and his family in their thoughts," a statement on the utility's Facebook page said.

The utility said the power failures were in the Faulkner Lake area. The statement said crews were "working to restore power as soon as possible."

WIllow Beach Road runs off U.S. 165 east of Interstate 440.

1 worker with Berwald Roofing has died after falling 50 feet and another injured as the result of an accident on the roof of the Vikings stadium in Minnesota









Richard Tsong-Taatarii, Star Tribune
  Gallery: 1 dead, 1 injured at Vikings stadium construction site

Construction workers, wearing their yellow vests, filed out of the stadium in a grim mood, barely an hour after their shift had begun.







By John Anderson August 26, 2015

Minneapolis, Minnesota

One worker was killed and another injured during construction Wednesday morning on the roof at the new Minnesota Vikings stadium.


The workers, from Berwald Roofing, were hurt about 7:45 a.m. on the stadium’s north side, said a statement from John Wood, senior vice president for Mortenson Construction.


Both were treated at the scene and taken to nearby Hennepin County Medical Center, Wood said. The surviving worker was in serious condition, he added.


One man fell to his death from the roof into a snow gutter 50 feet below, construction officials said during a media briefing, while the other was injured on the roof. Mortenson said it doesn’t yet have information on whether the two were wearing safety harnesses.


The incident brought work on the stadium to a halt. The site is usually teeming with 1,200 workers daily. Wood said it’s possible that construction could resume Thursday.


Berwald is a roofing and sheet metal company in North St. Paul whose projects include Target Field, Williams Arena and Highland Library. The owners, brothers Gene and Ken Berwald, and other company officials were not immediately available for comment.




Apprentice electrician Coshay Murray was waiting to get picked up after the incident.


“We’re all a little traumatized today,” he said.


A rescue effort by Fire Department personnel retrieved the injured victim from a crevice of the roof, according to authorities. Fire crew members used a rescue basket, ropes and cables to retrieve the person atop the future home of the pro football team, according to the department.


There is no immediate word on how the incident on the east edge of downtown occurred.


Mortenson has been involved in many of the major sports construction projects in the Twin Cities in recent years, including Target Field, TCF Bank Stadium and the Xcel Energy Center. There were no deaths associated with any of those efforts.


Messages of sadness and condolence came in from many quarters within hours of the incident.


“Today is an extremely sad day for the Minnesota Vikings organization and the entire stadium team,” Vikings management said in a statement. “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.”


After morning practice Wednesday, Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer said, “I was told about the accident at the stadium. … It’s a sad day for us. Our prayers and thoughts go out to the families.”


Mayor Betsy Hodges said that “we in Minneapolis grieve for the loss of the worker who lost his life in a tragic accident. … We also send our wishes for a thorough and speedy recovery to the other worker who was injured today.”


Demolition of the 32-year-old Metrodome occurred in early 2014, and construction of the new building began shortly thereafter.


From the beginning, the project has been moving toward opening next summer for the 2016 NFL season.


Installation of purple seats began last week, and the roof was to be completed by winter.


In late March, high winds blew down scaffolding on the edge of the stadium project. The roof of a trailer was damaged, but no one was hurt.


In the fiscal years from 2010 through 2014, Minnesota OSHA investigated 27 fatalities due to falls, said agency spokesman James Honerman. Citations issued or workplace “fall protection” violations in Minnesota totaled 564 in fiscal year 2014, Honerman added.


 


Here is info from this roofing company's web pages:


BERWALD ROOFING COMPANY, INC.
MINNESOTA’S PREMIER ROOFING, WALL PANEL, AND SHEET METAL COMPANY

Welcome to Berwald Roofing & Sheet Metal Company, Minnesota’s premier roofing, wall panel, and sheet metal company. Whether you’re an architectural firm, contractor or private owner, we’ll work with you to fulfill all your roofing, wall panel, and sheet metal needs with service you can rely on from the initial concept of a project to completion.

Berwald is a full service company – no job is too large or extraordinary. We are a leading contractor in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area specializing in all forms of roofing, waterproofing, architectural wall panels, and architectural/ ornamental sheet metal. Our management team has a combined 371 years of construction experience, and we employee over 180 field personnel (20 years average experience) and 14 management and supervisor personnel. Whatever your needs, we have the knowledge and expertise to get the job done right.