CHARLOTTE — Three construction workers died after falling 70 feet from collapsed scaffolding in Dilworth, Charlotte Fire confirmed.
It happened just after 9 a.m. Monday at a construction site on East Morehead Street, near Euclid Avenue, firefighters said.
Chopper 9 Skyzoom captured the collapsed scaffolding that led to three deaths and two people hurt this morning near Uptown Charlotte.
— WSOCTV (@wsoctv) January 2, 2023
MORE INFO: https://t.co/lCwHuXfGa8 pic.twitter.com/dyTDROPW0D
When firefighters arrived, Charlotte Fire Capt. Jackie Gilmore said they found collapsed scaffolding and workers who had fallen from the scaffolding. Three of the workers died at the scene, Gilmore said.
The workers had fallen about 70 feet, he added.
Paramedics later confirmed two more construction workers were taken to the hospital, but neither were seriously hurt.
(PHOTOS: 3 dead, 2 hurt in Dilworth scaffolding collapse, Charlotte Fire says)
Capt. Gilmore said the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are investigating the case.
After the accident, Chopper 9 Skyzoom flew over the scaffolding, which could be seen hanging at an angle. The broken platform was along the side of a building. Directly underneath was what looked like scaffolding on the ground and wood scattered around it.
Dozens of first responders, including Charlotte-Mecklenburg police and Charlotte Fire, were at the scene investigating. A CMPD crime scene investigation vehicle also remained at the scene.
OSHA employees have just arrived to the building site on Morehead to investigate deadly construction accident at this building site. @wsoctv pic.twitter.com/QcVGOB2Wh4
— Genevieve Curtis (@GenevieveonTV) January 2, 2023
Channel 9′s Hannah Goetz saw other construction workers in the area who were leaving their jobsites. Capt. Gilmore said all construction work was stopped until the investigation was completed.
One worker told Channel 9′s Genevieve Curtis they were doing “as good as we can be.” Off camera, another worker said he was working at the site just last week and knew the three workers who died. He said the crew is like one big family.
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The building where the scaffolding fell is slated to become residential living. According to a building permit application, the general contractor is listed as Hanover RS East Construction, LLC. Goetz called the number listed on the permit, but the woman who answered said she had no comment.
Dozens of workers talk to a CMPD officer before getting in their cars and leaving @wsoctv pic.twitter.com/dH2zwHpFiI
— Hannah Goetz (@HannahGoetztv) January 2, 2023
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
(WATCH: First responders speak about deadly Dilworth construction site accident)
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