Four people were working on the home when it caved in on Thursday afternoon, according to the Travis County ESD 5.

TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas — A construction worker died Thursday afternoon after getting trapped under a two-story house in South Austin, officials said. 

According to the Travis County Emergency Services District 5, crews received a call at around 4:20 p.m. Thursday about two people trapped beneath a home after strong winds impacted the area. Travis County ESD 5 officials said the incident happened at a home under construction on Salvador Street, which is in the Creekside at Estancia neighborhood.



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Officials said the house was under construction, and four crew members were working on it before the collapse. 

“Two of the workers got out safely but the other two did not,” Travis County ESD 5 said on social media Friday. 

Travis County Emergency Services District 5 Fire Chief Chris Barron said when crews arrived, they found two workers pinned beneath the trusses of the collapsed walls. 

He said one person suffered minor leg injuries, but the other died from the weight of the home following the incident. The worker who suffered injuries was taken to the hospital but was later released.

“It was like toothpicks with a roof on top of it and a heavy wind,” Barron said. “National Weather Service saying at that point in time [were] 50 to 70 mile straight line winds came through and basically pushed the house over.”

A next-door neighbor, Mary Wessel, reportedly told responders that she heard the sound of a loud boom when the house caved in. She said she was the one to call 911 and wait for first responders. 

“It was awful because I didn’t know if there were people there,” Wessel said.

Several organizations responded to the incident, including the Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services (ATCEMS), Travis County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) and Travis County STAR Flight. 

KVUE reached out to KB Homes, the developer building the property. A spokesperson said in an emailed statement that the company is “deeply saddened by this tragic event,” and that construction at the site was suspended immediately. KB Homes said it is fully cooperating with local authorities in their investigation.

The company has not responded to a follow-up question from KVUE asking about its policy for crews working during severe weather. Their full statement can be read below:

“KB Home is deeply saddened to confirm that a tragic accident occurred during a serious weather event at our Creekside at Estancia site yesterday, resulting in the death of an employee of one of our subcontractors. Our thoughts and prayers are with the worker’s family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time. Construction at the site was suspended immediately. A second employee of the subcontractor was injured as a result of the accident and taken to the hospital where he is recovering. KB Home wants to thank local emergency personnel for their quick response to the incident, and we are fully cooperating with local authorities in their investigation.”

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) said it is investigating the incident. The investigation could take up to six months to complete.