Construction Worker dies from injuries sustained in construction accident
By Tom Smith Senior Staff Writer
FLORENCE, AL — A man working on the development of a new apartment complex in west Florence died Wednesday evening from injuries he sustained in a construction accident earlier in the day, authorities said.
Florence police detective Sgt. Greg Cobb confirmed this morning that the man had died. He did not release the name but did say the man was from Cherokee.
Cobb said the accident was reported to police at 11:55 a.m.
Emergency personnel at the scene said the man was apparently injured when he walked behind a bulldozer and was struck.
Authorities said the man was taken by Shoals Ambulance to Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital.
The apartment complex is being developed by Mallory and Evans Development of Scottdale, Georgia. The contractor for this development is Montgomery Martin Contractors based out of Memphis.
The Bellamy Florence is a $24 million 420-bed community near the University of North Alabama in Florence, Alabama.
Cobb said the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the accident.
This is a so-called backover death when the worker is killed by a construction equipment, truck, etc at the equipment is backing up. They are easily avoidable with proper training of the workers and a proper site safety plan.
FLORENCE-The Florence Police Department released a statement concerning the death of a construction worker on Wednesday, November 15:
“Florence Police, Fire, and EMS responded to a construction accident at the site of the new apartments being developed by Mallory and Evans Development of Scottsdale, GA. This site sets off of W Irvine Ave in West Florence. The Contractor for this development is Montgomery Martin Contractors based out of Memphis, TN.
At around 11:55am we received the call of the accident. When EMS arrived they found a male laying on the ground that was hit by a bulldozer. Shoals Ambulance services transported the subject to ECM Hospital where he died of his injuries.
The worker was from Cherokee, Al, but no other information can be released until we are sure his family has been notified. No other workers were injured during this accident. OSHA has been contacted to conduct the investigation into this accident.
We will assist them anyway we can. After the accident the construction work was stopped by the superintendent of the site.”