In Port Arthur, Texas, a tragedy unfolded at a construction site when scaffolding collapsed, resulting in the loss of three workers’ lives and leaving two others injured. Emergency services rushed to the Port Arthur LNG site on Tuesday morning following reports of an industrial accident involving the employees of construction firm Bechtel.
According to details from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office shared on social media, the incident occurred when the scaffolding gave way, causing three workers to plummet to the ground. Unfortunately, two of them succumbed to their injuries at the scene, while the third individual passed away later at a hospital. The remaining two workers, who sustained injuries but remained on the scaffolding, were hospitalized, though their injuries were thankfully not life-threatening.
The sheriff’s office stated that a thorough investigation into the accident is underway, with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) having been informed of the events. The goal is to understand what led to the scaffolding failure and ensure such tragedies are prevented in the future.
In response to the incident, Bechtel, the company overseeing the site, announced an immediate halt of all work operations. The company expressed their deepest sympathy and support for the families affected by this tragedy by allowing employees to depart early to be with their loved ones. Furthermore, Bechtel is collaborating with the relevant authorities and has initiated its own internal investigation to uncover the factors that contributed to this accident.