MARCH 12, 2015
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON (AP)
A construction worker who fell 60 to 70 feet from the State
Route 520 Bridge project Thursday died of his injuries, officials said.
Harborview Medical Center spokeswoman Susan Gregg said
Thursday night that the man was brought to the hospital in “very, very critical
condition” and died shortly after arrival. He was not immediately identified.
Washington state Transportation Department spokesman Ian
Sterling says the worker was on top of the east high-rise for the new bridge,
where fixed highway spans extend toward the future floating bridge.
The Bellevue Fire Department said the worker fell 60 to 70
feet and that CPR was performed on the victim at the scene.
Washington State Secretary of Transportation Lynn Peterson
issued this statement on the accident:
“This evening, I received the call I hoped I would never get
as Secretary of Transportation. The call informed me about a loss of life on
one of our construction projects.
I speak for everyone at WSDOT when I say our thoughts and
prayers are with the contractor’s employee’s family and colleagues for their
loss.
I’ve directed our WSDOT team to have employee assistance
personnel and peer trauma support on site tomorrow to help anyone who might
need assistance with this tragedy.”
A statement from the project contractor Kiewit-General
Manson on the accident:
An employee of Kiewit-General-Manson passed away Thursday
evening of injuries received as the result of a fall on the SR 520 Floating
Bridge and Landings project. The safety of our employees is our most
fundamental value and top priority. We are deeply saddened by this tragedy and
our thoughts and prayers are with our employee’s family and many friends.
Kiewit-General-Manson is investigating the incident and working with the
Washington State Department of Labor & Industries, Department of
Transportation, and other appropriate agencies.
Sterling said that all work has been suspended Friday at the
construction side at the East approach to the bridge.
It is obvious to us that this contractor(s) need to be
fired. Two falls and a near miss crane
weight fall is too much. They have
already been fined by OSHA, yet they have another deadly fall. They need to go. No ifs or buts please, just go.
Source:www.komotv.com