THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tuesday, April 18, 2017, 12:53 PM
WASHINGTON (AP) — A maintenance worker at the U.S. Capitol has died after a large tree branch fell on top of him.
A statement from the Architect of the Capitol, Stephen Ayers, identified the man who was killed as Matthew McClanahan. The statement says McClanahan was working on an irrigation pipe on Tuesday morning when a branch fell from an American Elm tree.
Police and firefighters freed McClanahan from under the branch and he was taken to a hospital in what fire officials described as "very critical" condition. He later died.
Ayers says McClanahan "was a talented, dedicated pipefitter" and asks for prayers for his family, friends and colleagues.
Police block off a section of a street after part of a tree fell and injured a man on the U.S. Capitol grounds in Washington, on Tuesday, April 18, 2017. (Linda Davidson/The Washington Post via AP) (The Associated Press)
U.S. Capitol police say grounds crews are removing what remains at the tree. A portion of Independence Avenue remains closed.
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WASHINGTON (WUSA9) - A man is dead after a large tree collapsed and fell on him in Southeast, D.C. Tuesday morning, according to US Capitol police.
The tree feel at the corner of Independence Ave. and First Streets in SE, D.C. around 9:15 a.m., authorities said.
Police and DC Fire and EMS had to extract the man from under the tree. He was transported to a local hospital.
The man has been identified as Matthew McClanahan. He was a pipe fitter and was working on an irrigation pipe when the tree feel.
“It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Architect of the Capitol employee, Matthew McClanahan, following an accident on the U.S. Capitol Grounds. A large branch of an American Elm fell and struck Matt, who was working nearby on an irrigation pipe. Matt was a talented, dedicated pipe fitter in the Maintenance Division of Capitol Grounds. Please keep his family, friends and colleagues in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.” – Stephen T. Ayers, Architect of the Capitol.
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AOC employee killed by falling tree on Capitol grounds
By Max Greenwood - 04/18/17 02:03 PM EDT
A worker pinned under a falling tree on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday morning has died, the Architect of the Capitol said.
Matthew McClanahan, an employee in the Architect of the Capitol's (AOC) Maintenance Division of Capitol Grounds, was struck by a large tree near the Capitol while working on an irrigation pipe. He was taken to a local hospital after being extricated by emergency workers.
McClanahan died of his injuries soon after.
"It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Architect of the Capitol employee, Matthew McClanahan, following an accident on the U.S. Capitol Grounds," Architect of the Capitol Stephen Ayers said in a statement obtained by NBC News.
"Matt was a talented, dedicated pipefitter in the Maintenance Division of Capitol Grounds. Please keep his family, friends and colleagues in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time."
House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) released a statement mourning McClanahan.
"Matthew and his wife, Lauren, have two young children, Evie and Matthew. Their loss is so sudden and unimaginable. I ask my colleagues and everyone in the Capitol community to keep Matthew’s loved ones in your thoughts and prayers," he said.
The U.S. Capitol Police said Independence Avenue between Washington Avenue and First Street would remain closed while the Capitol Police investigate the accident scene. The USCP said grounds crews from the AOC are inspecting the tree and remove the remaining debris.
The Architect of the Capitol is the federal agency responsible for maintaining and preserving the U.S. Capitol complex.