2 Killed in Crane Collapse at Florida Hospital Construction Site, Police Say
Two workers were injured and taken to a nearby hospital, where they succumbed to their injuries
Their identities have not been publicly releasedTwo construction workers were killed after a crane collapsed at a construction site in Merritt Island, Fla., on Wednesday, June 5, according to ABC News, Fox 35 and Click Orlando.
The construction site is for the new Cape Canaveral Hospital on Merritt Island, which is 57 miles southeast of Orlando. The area experienced heavy winds and rain on Wednesday, but the cause of the incident is under investigation, ABC News reported.
After the crane collapsed, two individuals were transported to a nearby hospital, where they succumbed to their injuries, Brevard County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Tod Goodyear said, per ABC News.
The victims' identities have not been publicly released. Both were trade contract workers, one employed by Baker Concrete and the other by an unnamed trade contractor, a spokesperson at Gilbane Building Co., the contractor for the hospital project, confirms to PEOPLE in a statement.
"We share our deepest condolences with the families, loved ones, and co-workers," Gilbane's statement says, adding that the "site is secure, and work is currently being suspended."
"We are supporting our trade contractors and working with them and the authorities on an active investigation to understand the circumstances surrounding the incident."
No Health First employees were on site at the time of the accident, Lance Skelly, Health First's system director for public and media relations, told Florida Today.
"We are monitoring the situation closely with local authorities and Gilbane, the construction-management company on the project, as they continue their investigation," Skelly told the outlet.
Construction on the hospital began in 2024, and it is scheduled to open in early 2027. The Health First-operated facility will replace Cape Canaveral Hospital in Cocoa Beach, per ABC News.
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Representatives for the Brevard County Sheriff's Office and Health First did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for more information.
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