3 Workers Die Falling More Than 60 Feet After Scaffolding Collapses at Construction Site
"Some type of mishap" caused the scaffolding to become destabilized, causing three Bechtel workers to fall to their deaths at the Port Arthur LNG site in Port Arthur early on Tuesday, April 29, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office said in a statement on Facebook.
Justice of the Peace Brad Burnett told CBS affiliate KFDM that the three employees were men ranging in age from 25 to 42, and that they fell an estimated 65-85 feet. Their identities have not been released at this time.
First responders received the call at approximately 2 a.m. local time, according to the sheriff's office. When they arrived at the site, they confirmed that two of the workers had died. The third person later died at the hospital.
Two others who were still on the scaffolding were treated for non-life-threatening injuries. An investigation is ongoing, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has been notified, authorities said.
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'We are deeply saddened to confirm a tank jump form system incident occurred at elevation on April 29 at the Port Arthur LNG construction site, resulting in three fatalities and two injuries,' Bechtel, a construction and project management company, said in a statement posted on the company's website. 'Our thoughts are with the families and our colleagues affected by this tragic incident.'
The company said that work immediately stopped after the accident and 'all craft professionals' were sent home to spend time with their families. Bechtel is cooperating with the investigation and has initiated its own internal review, they added.
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Sempra Infrastructure is behind the Port Arthur LNG project, a liquefaction facility that will provide 'clean' and 'affordable' natural gas to the global market, according to its website.
In a statement obtained by PEOPLE, the company offered their condolences and noted that Bechtel has now "suspended work on the site while the incident is investigated." They added, "Bechtel is working with the applicable regulatory agencies and local authorities to investigate the situation and will provide further updates as they become available."
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Bechtel and the sheriff's office did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.
Taylor Mitchell, who used to work for Port Arthur LNG, told KFDM that it was difficult to hear the news of the accident. He explained that the people working on the site are like a 'brotherhood."
'We're not guaranteed our next breath in the morning when we wake up,' Mitchell told KFDM. 'That's up to the good Lord, but especially at work trying to provide for our families. It's really sad and tragic.'
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