Worker identified in fatal Camp Lejeune incident
Updated: Thursday, July 09, 2015
The victim is identified as 58-year-old Rafael Santiago.
Authorities say he died after suffering a fall while working for Wilson based SPC Mechanical at Camp Johnson.
He received treatment from local emergency services personnel and was airlifted to New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington where he died of his injuries.
At the time of the accident, Santiago and three other SPC employees were working on the Staff NCO Academic Facility.
The men were in the process of cutting a hole in the floor of an upper level of the building for the installation of air conditioning duct work.
While the exact details of the accident remain under investigation, Santiago fell through the newly cut hole to the second floor below, a distance of approximately 25 feet.
A final report on the accident from the Occupational Health and Safety Administration could take up to six months to complete.
"Rafael was dedicated and hard working," said SPC Mechanical Wilson Division ManagerJay Gunter. "He was a good man and we mourn for him and and his family."
Son Rogelio Santiago said, "He was the best dad and grandfather. We are heartbroken and miss him very much."
The elder Santiago had earned U.S. citizenship in the last four years. "He was very proud to be an American," said daughter in law Jazmin Santiago.
Mr. Santiago is survived by his wife and four children. Funeral arrangements are incomplete.
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The U.S. Department of Labor is investigating the death of a civilian worker at Camp Lejeune.
It happened Monday in the Camp Johnson area of the Marine Corps base.
The employee worked for SPC Mechanical of Wilson, a contractor doing work on the base. The company says the accident happened around 1:00 p.m. at the NCO School being built. SPC is doing the HVAC work on that new building.
The Labor Department says it has an inspector en route to Camp Lejeune, but could not release any information yet on how the worker was killed.
SPC, which was established in 1965, is a mechanical contractor serving the eastern half of the state. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and everyone at SPC Mechanical during this difficult time," the company said in a statement.