NEED TO KNOW
A construction worker died after falling from a 50-foot wall into a 60-foot pit at Hudson Yards in New York City on Oct. 23, fire officials saidThe worker has reportedly been identified as 52-year-old Jorge SanchezThe construction site has closed following the fatal incident
A construction worker has died after falling more than 100 feet into a pit at a jobsite in New York City.
Chief Anthony Romano of the New York City Fire Department told reporters on Thursday, Oct. 23, that crews responded to the scene in Manhattan around 8:50 a.m. after receiving “a call for a construction worker who had fallen into a construction pit.”
The incident occurred at the site of the Gateway Project at Hudson Yards, according to CBS affiliate WCBS and NBC affiliate WNBC.
Units were on scene within three minutes and found the construction worker “at the bottom of the pit,” which Romano said was about 60 feet deep.
The construction worker “was working approximately 50 feet up” on a foundation wall that was poured on Wednesday, Oct. 22, Romano said.
Fire crews entered the pit using a staircase and “immediately provided patient care” to the victim, who was not breathing and did not have a pulse when he was found, the fire chief added.
FDNY Division Chief Nicholas Aiello said the construction worker was then hoisted out of the pit and transported to a local hospital in critical condition.
The construction worker — identified by the NYC District Council of Carpenters as 52-year-old Jorge Sanchez — later died, according to ABC affiliate WABC.
It is unclear how or why the construction worker fell, Romano told reporters.
Paul Capurso, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the NYC District Council of Carpenters, paid tribute to the late worker in a statement shared on Facebook.
“We suffered a heartbreaking loss at the Gateway Tunnel project with the passing of one of our union brothers,” Capurso said. “There are no words strong enough to express the pain and sadness we all feel. He was more than a carpenter. He was part of our family, a brother who stood shoulder to shoulder with us every day to build something bigger than ourselves.”
Capurso continued, “On behalf of the New York City District Council of Carpenters, we extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and all who loved him. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this devastating time.”
According to Capurso, “the union is taking steps to support his family and ensure they feel the strength and solidarity of their union community.”
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“That’s what it means to be part of this brotherhood–when one of us is lost, we come together to honor their life and stand with their loved ones,” he added.
In a joint statement, Related Companies, the Gateway Development Commission and Amtrak said the construction worker was employed by the New York Concrete Corporation, according to WCBS.
“Our thoughts are with his loved ones during this difficult time,” they said. “All work is suspended on the [Hudson Yards] site while the incident is under investigation.”
Related Companies, the Gateway Development Commission and Amtrak did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s requests for comment.