Wednesday, June 28, 2017

AVON LAKE SPILL: 5,000 gallons of a rust-proofing solution spilled Saturday at a Ford Motor Company plant in northern Ohio, and an unknown amount of that got into a storm sewer and discharged into the lake













By Nicole Hennessy

AVON LAKE – Avon Lake city officials and Ford Motor Co. officials met three times Monday and again Tuesday morning to discuss any potential harm caused by a weekend chemical spill at Ford’s Ohio Assembly Plant.

A paint primer called e-coat was the source of the issue. The chemical did enter the storm sewer/lake. Joe Reitz, Avon Lake’s public works director, said Monday that the U.S Coast Guard and the Ohio EPA have all been involved as cleanup continues.

E-coat is not known as overly toxic or harmful, Reitz explained, though he declined to state whether or not the chemical is considered hazardous or non-hazardous.

Miller Road Beach, where the spill took place, has been closed to swimmers for weeks due to record-breaking water levels in Lake Erie (caused by erratic weather and heavy rains). Though this threatens the health of the lake, as well as beaches and other land that is not used to direct contact with water, that the beach is submerged, it did not get impacted and the spill was contained in the nearby water.

Reitz says he expects regular updates as cleanup continues. There is currently no advisory for area drinking water.

Kelli Felker, a spokesperson for Ford, said in a statement, “We have identified and eliminated the source of the leak and do not expect additional e-coat to enter the storm sewer.”




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AVON LAKE, Ohio (AP) -- Officials say some of a chemical spilled at a Ford Motor Company plant in northern Ohio entered Lake Erie but isn't considered a serious health hazard for humans.

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency says about 5,000 gallons of a rust-proofing solution spilled Saturday, and an unknown amount of that got into a storm sewer and discharged into the lake. Environmental cleanup crews were sent to contain and clean up the spill.

Ford representatives said they were coordinating with local officials on the cleanup.



Avon Lake Assistant Fire Chief Jeff Moore tells The Chronicle-Telegram in Elyria (eh-LEER'-ee-uh) that the chemical is a skin irritant, but the spill wasn't considered a health hazard because there is no public beach in that area and it wasn't expected to affect the city's water intake

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AVON LAKE — A spill of a chemical paint primer from Ford Motor Co.’s Ohio Assembly Plant has been flowing into Lake Erie at Miller Road Park since Saturday.

Avon Lake Assistant Fire Chief Jeff Moore said today that the leak of e-coat, an electrically-charged paint primer used to prevent corrosion, isn’t considered overly toxic to humans and isn’t a water pollutant. He said the material would be irritating if it were to come into contact with human skin.

Moore said at this point the chemical spill isn’t considered a health hazard to humans because there is no public beach at Miller Road Park. He said the city’s water plant has been notified to monitor it’s water intake, but he doesn’t expect that to be a problem because the water at the area tends to flow west, while the water plant is to the east of the spill.

He said the spill was detected by the plant on Saturday afternoon, but workers didn’t realize until late Saturday or early Sunday that it was flowing into the lake.

“They thought it was all contained in the plant,” he said.

He said Ford began efforts to contain and clean-up the water-soluble solution on Sunday. He said because of the choppy waters off the park absorbent booms couldn’t be used to collect the chemical.

Instead, he said, cleanup workers began collecting as much of the flow as they could at various points along a storm water sewer line, including at Miller Road Park, along Walker Road and inside the plant.

The system containing the chemical was being drained as the plant prepared for a planned shutdown when the spill occurred, Moore he said.

Mike Settles, a spokesman for the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency said about 5,000 gallons of the chemical, composed of three parts deionized water and one par e-coat, discharged from a 50,000-gallon holding tank on Ford’s property because of a valve failure.

He said an unknown quantity of the chemical made it into the lake, but the rest was being collected along the storm sewer. He said an estimated 60,000 gallons of water has been collected for treatment and disposal.

Settles also estimated that the cleanup could take several days to be completed.

Moore said crews are trying to get as much of the work done as possible before rains arrive this afternoon.

“Our concern is how much can they get before the rains come,” he said.

Fishermen TracyJohnson of Cleveland and Keith McKenney of Bedford said they were still worried about the impact of the spill as they stood in the spray on a fishing pier at the park this morning fishing rods in hand.

“It’s bad enough, we don’t need this,” Johnson said. “It’s our lake, we’ve just got to treat her like she's supposed to be treated.”

Avon Lake Mayor Greg Zilka said after a briefing with representatives of the company, environmental officials and others that Ford is working to contain and mitigate the damage.

“We have great faith that Ford is on top of it and the Coast Guard is monitoring it as is the city of Avon Lake,” he said.

A Ford representative at the scene referred questions to a corporate spokeswoman, who has not yet responded to a request for comment.

Two CSX Freight Trains rail workers were struck and killed late Tuesday by an Amtrak passenger train in downtown Washington, D.C.








WASHINGTON, DC — Two CSX rail workers were struck and killed late Tuesday by an Amtrak passenger train in Washington, D.C., officials said.

CSX issued a statement Wednesday that said the workers were on tracks near the intersection of Ninth Street and New York Avenue when they were struck just before midnight. The railroad didn’t identify the workers to respect the privacy of their families.

The southbound Amtrak train from Boston and New York to Washington’s Union Station struck the pedestrians about 11:18 p.m., according to Amtrak.The two CSX workers were found dead at the scene, DC Fire and EMS tweeted Tuesday night.

CSX issued a statement Wednesday saying that management officials traveled to the scene to assist the investigation.

Amtrak said there were no injuries on board the train, which was carrying a crew and 121 passengers. Passengers remained on the train for several hours, but were eventually transferred to another train and taken the rest of the way to Union Station, said Marc Magliari, spokesman for Amtrak.

Amtrak service between Washington and Philadelphia was temporarily suspended for the investigation, and was expected to be restored by mid-morning Wednesday.



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Amtrak train kills two railroad employees in downtown Washington, DC
by Anna Giaritelli | Jun 28, 2017, 7:53 AM



Two railroad employees were killed late Tuesday when an Amtrak train hit them near downtown Washington, D.C., as it was on its way to Union Station.

The D.C. Fire Department was called to the 1200 block of New York Avenue NE just before midnight on Tuesday to deal with the incident. The two people were pronounced dead at the scene.

The National Transportation Safety Board was on site early Wednesday morning investigating the incident and confirmed the two deceased people were CSX Freight Trains workers. Their names have not been released. Metropolitan Police Department officers and local fire officials are assisting the NTSB with its probe.

Amtrak has suspended all service, including Marc trains, between Philadelphia and Washington until further notice.

NTSB is investigating two trains in connection with the incident. Amtrak Train 175 had originally embarked from Boston to New York and was on its final leg of the journey, just a mile from Union Station, when it hit the two employees.

A CSX train going the same direction behind the Amtrak train is also being investigated for its possible role in the accident. No passengers or Amtrak employees were hurt, but one employee was taken to a local hospital for a checkup

STATE OF EMERGENCY IN MICHIGAN: Gladwin County declared a state of emergency due to flood damages suffered over the weekend, becoming the fourth Mid-Michigan county to do so.











Gladwin County is fourth in Mid-Michigan to declare state of emergency


Updated on June 28, 2017 at 9:02 AM

By Michael Kransz

mkransz@mlive.com

GLADWIN COUNTY, MI -- Gladwin County declared a state of emergency due to flood damages suffered over the weekend, becoming the fourth Mid-Michigan county to do so.

Terry Walters, chairperson of the Gladwin County Board of Commissioners, issued the declaration Tuesday, June 27, stating the county has "sustained a widespread damage to public infrastructure and private property caused by flooding."

Walters cited several roads now damaged and impassable, along with numerous residents reporting flooded basements, caused by the flooding.

Isabella, Bay and Midland counties previously declared states of emergency to ensure they're eligible for state and federal relief funds.






Why declare state of emergency for flooding? To secure relief funds

Lt. Gov. Brian Calley declares state of disaster for Midland, Isabella counties.

Marianne Hill, director of Gladwin County Emergency Management, said residents should report property damage to her as soon as possible.

"If you have not contacted Emergency Management to report your damage, please do so as soon as you can by calling 989-426-6871," Hill said. "Leave your name, address, telephone number and information on what was damaged."




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MIDLAND, Mich. — Flood warnings remained posted on some rivers in central Michigan, which are above flood stage after intense storms.


State police posted photos Saturday of a marine services team helping families evacuate in boats in Midland County. The National Weather Service says the Tittabawassee River should go below flood stage by Monday.

The Chippewa River could stay above flood stage until Tuesday. The Saginaw River is also affected.

Lt. Gov. Brain Calley declared disasters in Midland and Isabella counties on Friday, a step that makes state aid available in the recovery efforts. Hundreds of homes, businesses and other structures have been affected.

Mount Pleasant High School is serving as a shelter. Isabella County Road Commission manager Tony Casali described Blanchard Road as a "major blowout."

A man killed in a rollover crash Tuesday was identified Wednesday as Jared Baker, a hatchery specialist for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources




Utah DWR employee killed in Sevier County rollover crash
By Carter Williams | Posted Jun 28th, 2017 @ 10:36am


SIGURD, Sevier County — A man killed in a rollover crash Tuesday was identified Wednesday as a Utah Division of Wildlife Resources employee.

Wildlife officials said Jared Baker, a hatchery specialist for the wildlife division, died from injuries suffered in the crash.

Emergency crews responded to a report of a rollover near 1190 N. State St. in Sigurd about 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sevier County Sheriff Nathan Curtis said. Witnesses told investigators Baker was driving a truck northbound when the vehicle drifted off the road, overcorrected and flipped into the air as it went back onto the roadway, Curtis said.

The truck landed on its cab. Richfield City Fire Department extracted Baker from the truck, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Curtis said Baker was wearing a seat belt but suffered “significant injuries” in the crash.

Utah Highway Patrol requested the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office to investigate the crash since it involved a Utah Department of Wildlife Resources employee, Curtis added.



Fish culture section

Responsibilities The fish culture section of the Fisheries Experiment Station (FES) is responsible for the production of fish for the research program and development of brood stock for the State fish culture programs. A portion of the Fish Culture Training Class is taught by the fish culture section. June suckers, an endangered species endemic to Utah Lake, is being cultured for future brood stock. We are also conducting feed trials and evaluating the use of hormones to help induce spawn on the June sucker. We culture remnant populations of native cutthroat, Least chub and occasionally special hybrids.
Water source
We have 16 artesian wells. Temperatures range from 54°F to 65°F. Our total flow is around 4.5 cfs.
Personnel
Roger Mellenthin: Hatchery Superintendent (Wildlife Biologist III), transferred here from Midway Hatchery in Dec 1997. Has worked for Utah State University, Utah Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, and Nevada Department of Wildlife. Has worked extensively with endangered fish, especially the June Sucker. B.S. in Fisheries and Wildlife from Utah State University, Minor in German Language, received MBA at the University of Phoenix.
Phone number: 435-752-1066, ext. 208
Email: RogerMellenthin@utah.gov

Mark Brough: Wildlife Specialist
Phone number: 435-752-1066, ext. 219
Email: MarkBrough@utah.gov

Gary Howes: Wildlife Specialist
Phone number: 435-752-1066, ext. 219
Email: GaryHowes@utah.gov

Jared Baker: Wildlife Specialist
Phone number: 435-752-1066, ext. 219
Email: JLBaker@utah.gov



=================



SIGURD, Sevier County — A driver was killed in a rollover crash Tuesday afternoon, officials confirmed.

Shortly after 2:30 p.m., emergency responders were dispatched to 1190 N. State in Sigurd, said Sevier County Sheriff Nathan Curtis in a prepared statement. According to witnesses, a truck was traveling northbound when it went off the east side of the road. As the truck started to come back on the road, it began to drift sideways. When the truck came back onto the pavement, it flipped into the air and came down on the cab of the truck.

Emergency personnel arrived at the scene but were unable to pull the driver from the truck, Curtis said. Richfield City Fire Department responded to remove the driver from the vehicle.

“Despite (firefighters') best efforts, the subject was deceased due to significant injuries sustained in the crash,” Curtis said.

Because the truck was a Department of Natural Resources vehicle, Utah Highway Patrol requested the Sevier County Sheriff's Office to investigate the accident, Curtis said.

The driver’s identity was not released pending family notification. Curtis said the driver was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.

The city of St. Louis now says they will be shutting off a steam line that runs under Kiener Plaza for the summer, after a toddler suffered second-degree burns after stepping on one of the manholes




ST. LOUIS, Mo. (KMOV.com) -

The city of St. Louis now says they will be shutting off a steam line that runs under Kiener Plaza for the summer, after News 4 Investigates repeatedly tested temperatures at two manholes in the park.

Meanwhile, the toddler who was suffered second-degree burns after stepping on one of the manholes Sunday, has now been released from the hospital, but will require on-going treatment.

Monday, city officials told News 4 that a steam line under the park had sprung a leak, causing two manhole covers in the park to rise to temperatures well over 200 degrees. They said that the leak had been repaired and that the manholes would start to cool down.

However, News 4 Investigative Reporter Lauren Trager repeatedly tested the temperature of the manhole covers and Tuesday, discovered they were still in excess of 180 degrees.

Late Tuesday, city officials revised their earlier statement and said that the problem in the steam line was "re-occurring." They said they would shut down the steam line for the entire summer, as the company that operates the line works on a permanent fix.

It all started as a good time in Kiener Plaza Sunday night; 2-year-old Lila was having a blast with her parents at the splash pad and the playground.

But what happened next left Lila in the hospital, with severe burns on her feet.

Her parents are from out of town. They contacted News 4 because they were so upset about what happened, but were advised by an attorney not to talk on camera. They told us off-camera that Lila stepped on a manhole cover marked “Steam” in the park, just for a split-second, and badly burned her bare feet. The news of what happened to Lila, though, is also shocking to other parents playing with their kids at Kiener.

The plaza recently underwent a massive, multi-million dollar renovation and just re-opened last month.

With fun to be had, many children have been wandering around the park without shoes. Parents say they never expected there would be burning steam under the surface of the park.

Earlier Monday, the two steam manhole covers were free and clear for anyone to step on, but just after News 4 started making calls, crews came and barricaded them.

“That seems very dangerous because this is a place kids run around barefoot. So that seems pretty dangerous to have that over there,” said Nanci, a mother whose kids were playing in Kiener on Monday.

“That's very scary,” said another mom, CJ Jones.

News 4 wanted to know how could this happen.

The Gateway Arch Park Foundation, which designed the remodel of the park would not talk on camera but passed us off to the city.

No one from the city would talk on camera either, but off-camera an official said the reason the manhole was so hot was because there was a leak in the steam line that runs underneath the park.

The city said Monday that the company that operates it, Trigen, had already fixed the leak and told News 4 that the temperatures of the manhole covers would start to cool down.

Now, city officials say they will turn off the steam line for the entire summer. The line typically services commercial buildings downtown for heating purposes.

The company, under city supervision, will be working on a permanent fix.

Parents still want to know why there's a steam line running underneath the park in the first place.

“I think they should do a better job with their layouts and design and engineering to think about the possibilities of everything that can go wrong to keep the public safe,” Jones said.

A United Parcel Service worker was seriously hurt after he fell 25 feet while working on a grounded cargo plane at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport.




UPS worker seriously hurt in fall at Honolulu airport cargo facility

By Star-Advertiser staff
June 27, 2017
Updated June 27, 2017 5:21pm

A United Parcel Service worker was seriously hurt today after he fell 25 feet while working on a grounded cargo plane at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport.

American Medical Response paramedics responded to the fall at about 6:15 a.m. at 128 Mokuea Place, the air cargo facilities section of the airport.

Shayne Enright, spokeswoman for the Emergency Medical Services, reported the UPS employee was inside the grounded cargo plane when he fell onto the tarmac. He sustained head injuries and was treated and taken to a hospital in serious condition. It’s unclear what type of work the employee was doing when he fell.

Jim Mayer, spokesman of UPS Airlines based in Kentucky, said they will conduct an investigation into the accident. “Safety is a core value at UPS,” Mayer said.

Tim Sakahara, spokesman for the Department of Transportation, said airport operations were not affected.

Glenn F. Lough, 47, of Fraziers Bottom, a 25-year DOH engineer was killed Tuesday when the state truck he was riding in on Interstate 79 south of Clendenin was T-boned by an SUV being driven by Edna Martin Gallian, 80, of Clendenin, who also died






CLENDENIN, W.Va. — A 25-year DOH engineer was killed Tuesday when the state truck he was riding in on Interstate 79 south of Clendenin was T-boned by an SUV being driven by a Kanawha County woman, who also died, authorities said.

Glenn F. Lough, 47, of Fraziers Bottom, and two other workers were heading back to the DOH’s Division 1 offices in Charleston at around 4:40 p.m. Tuesday when an SUV, driven by Edna Martin Gallian, 80, of Clendenin, came from the northbound lanes and slammed into the southbound DOH vehicle.

Given the speed of both vehicles, the DOH driver would have had little time to react, Kanawha County Sheriff’s Dept. Sgt. Brian Humphreys said.

“When you’re going around 140 miles an hour (combined) it’s very difficult for anybody to be able to adjust their own vehicle to account from where the oncoming car may be coming from,” Humphreys said. “The last thing you’re worrying about when you’re coming down the highway is a car coming in the opposite direction.”

Investigators don’t know yet what caused Gallian, a longtime realtor in the Kanawha Valley, to lose control of her vehicle, Humphreys said.

“Regardless of age it could be a medical condition. At any point, anybody, could be subject to something that incapacitates them while they’re driving, something unexpected,” he said. “That may be revealed with help from the state Medical Examiner’s Office but it may not be.”

The two other DOH workers, in the Ford Expedition with Lough, were injured in the collision and were still hospitalized Wednesday.

State DOH spokesman Brent Walker called Lough “a valuable team member.” He had performed several duties for the DOH during his career.

Walker called the deadly crash “an awful situation” for those who knew both victims.

“We’ve just turned our attention to the family and to the coworkers,” he said.


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UPDATE: 6/28/17 @ 11:10 a.m.

KANAWHA COUNTY, WV (WOWK) -  According to the Kanawha County Sheriff's Office, a Honda Pilot traveling north crossed the median and struck a southbound Ford Expedition in a T-bone style crash around 4:00 p.m. yesterday near mile marker 16 on I-79.  The Ford SUV was a WV DOH vehicle.

The driver of the Honda, Edna Martin Gallian, 80, of Clendenin, WV, and a passenger in the Ford, Glenn F. Lough, 47, of Fraziers Bottom, WV were killed in the crash.

The driver of the Ford and another passenger in that vehicle were injured in the crash.  A third vehicle was damaged by debris from the crash, but no one in that vehicle was injured.

The highway was closed for several hours during the investigation and cleanup.  There were no other occupants in the Honda.  The Sheriff’s Office still does not know the reason the vehicle crossed the median.

The investigation is being handled by a crash reconstruction expert with the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office.


UPDATE: 6/27/17 @ 8:40 p.m.

KANAWHA COUNTY, WV (WOWK) - Interstate 79 southbound at mile marker 16 south of the Clendenin exit has reopened following a deadly crash that killed two people, including a DOH worker, and injured 2 others.


ORIGINAL: 6/27/17 @ 5:45 p.m. 

KANAWHA COUNTY, WV (WOWK) - Two people, including a DOH worker, were killed Tuesday afternoon following a double fatal car crash on Interstate 79.
The accident occurred just after 4 p.m. on Interstate 79 southbound at mile marker 15 in between the Elkview and Clendenin exits.

According to Chuck Runyon, Chief of Emergency Operations for the WV Department of Transportation, a vehicle was driving northbound when it crossed the median, drove into the southbound lanes and struck a DOH truck.
One person in the vehicle and one person in the DOH truck were killed in the crash. Two other people received non-life threatening injuries and were transported to the hospital.

The WV Department of Highways says that traffic is being diverted off of Interstate 79 at exit 19 onto US Route 119.

We have a crew at the scene, and will provide more information as soon as we receive it.

An electrical worker, 46, with Barton Malow, who was not wearing fall protection gear, died Wednesday morning after falling 75 feet off a catwalk at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.
















The death of an electrical worker who fell 75 feet at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit was accidental, according to the Wayne County Medical Examiner's Office.

Michael Morrison died of multiple injuries in the Wednesday morning fall, said Lisa Croff, director of Communications & Media Relations for the Wayne County Department of Health, Veterans & Community Wellness.

Detroit Police Media Relations Director Michael Woody said earlier in the week that investigators believe the death was a suicide, based in part on the statements of witnesses.


Croff said the accidental ruling was based on Morrison's injuries. That could change as the police investigation unfolds, she said.

The Detroit Fire Department was dispatched to the arena construction site at 8:03 a.m. Wednesday. A fire department official said Morrison went into cardiac arrest.

He was pronounced dead at Detroit Receiving Hospital.




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A worker died Wednesday morning at the site of Little Caesars Arena in Detroit after falling from a catwalk.

According to authorities, medical crews were called to Little Caesars Arena around 8 a.m. Wednesday to a report of an injured worker. Official say a man fell from a catwalk at the construction site from about 75 feet in the air.

Detroit Fire Department Deputy Commissioner Dave Fornell said the department received the call just after 8 Wednesday morning. Crews started CPR and then rushed him to Detroit Receiving where he later died.


Fornell told FOX 2 the man went into cardiac arrest after the fall.

Fornell said the man is 46 years old and is believed to be an electrician.

His identity is not being released.



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An electrical worker died this morning after falling 75 feet at the new Little Caesars Arena construction site, Detroit Deputy Fire Commission Dave Forell said.

"We were dispatched about 8:03 this morning on the report of a fall victim," Forell said. "He'd fallen approximately 75 feet and he was in cardiac arrest."

Forell said coworkers had begun CPR on the man and emergency crews continued it as they transported him to Detroit Receiving Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Forell said the man was not wearing fall protection gear when emergency crews arrived, but that it could have been removed by coworkers who were administering CPR.

"We don't know what happened," Forell said. "Was he working with anyone else? We don't know. But that kind of fall is not usually survivable."

Forell said the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration will investigate the accident.

Ryan Maibach, CEO of Barton Malow, a company involved with the construction project, issued a brief statement this morning.

"A serious incident occurred at the job site today. Our thoughts and prayers are with the individual and his family. We are gathering more information and additional details will be provided when appropriate."

A construction worker leaving the site this morning, who didn't want to be named, told a reporter that workers were being sent home for the day.

"We're all doing OK," he said. "It was probably an accident. Safety comes first."


Workers leave the Little Caesar's Arena construction site on Wednesday, June 28, 2017, after an electrical worker fell 75 feet to his death. (Photo: Tresa Baldas, Detroit Free Press)

The death comes almost 15 years after another worker died during the construction of nearby Ford Field.

Gjon Gojcaj, a 42-year-old father of five from Macomb Township, died July 30, 2002 while painting trusses at Ford Field. He was more than 120 feet up in a Condor 150S aerial work platform, which tipped over when he tried to move it.

MIOSHA conducted a 9-month investigation and issued citations and penalties against Brockman Equipment, Inc. for $286,000, and Thomarios Painting for $270,000.

"Both companies were aware of the hazardous conditions involved in painting the trusses and yet they willfully placed these workers in harm's way with a pattern of indifference for their safety," MIOSHA said in its report.


An electrical worker died this morning after falling 75 feet at the new Little Caesars Arena construction site in Detroit, Wednesday, June 28, 2017. (Photo: Kathleen Galligan/DFP)


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Worker dies after falling 75 feet off catwalk at Detroit's Little Caesars Arena


By Ken Haddad 
 Updated: 12:41 PM, June 28, 2017

 
DETROIT, MI - An electrical worker died Wednesday morning after falling 75 feet off a catwalk at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.

Deputy Detroit Fire Commissioner David Fornell says the 46-year-old man was in cardiac arrest when paramedics arrived about 8 a.m.

Other workers had started cardiopulmonary resuscitation which first responders continued. The man was taken to a Detroit hospital where he was pronounced dead.

He was taken to Detroit Receiving Hospital. The 46-year-old man has died.

Fornell says officials were told the man was an electrical worker and may have fallen from a catwalk. He says the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration likely will investigate.

Ryan Maibach, CEO of Barton Mallow, said additional details would be given when appropriate.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the individual and his family," Maibach said.

It is unclear when construction will resume.

Ilitch Holdings released the following statement:

“Our thoughts, condolences and prayers go out to the family, friends and co-workers affected by this tragedy. We lost a member of our crew today, and it is an extremely sad and difficult time for our entire organization and for the many dedicated men and women building this project. The safety and security of everyone on our job sites remains our highest priority, and more information will be shared as it becomes available throughout the investigation.”

The arena will be home to the NHL's Detroit Red Wings and the NBA's Pistons. It is scheduled to open this fall.