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1 dead, 1 injured after beam struck two construction workers on I-4

Injured employee hospitalized with non-life-threatening-injuries

ORLANDO, Fla. – A construction worker was killed and another was injured Saturday after an incident at an I-4 Ultimate construction site.

The incident happened around 6:30 p.m. by Lake Lucerne in downtown Orlando, according to SGL Constructors. Investigators had the site taped off by Sylvia Lane and sifted through the area for about three hours.

Officials told News 6 that a beam slipped off a piece of equipment and struck two SGL construction workers.

According to officials, one worker was pronounced dead at the scene. He was identified Monday as Ulises J. Corrales Ibarra. The other construction worker was transported to a hospital for a non-life-threatening head injury.

"The investigation is ongoing in conjunction with OSHA, SGL safety and OPD. We responded out to assist any of those victims if they were still entrapped. We did all we could, but unfortunately it wasn't enough," Walter Lewis, district chief with Orlando Fire Department said.

All operations across the 21-mile project site have been suspended with the exception of emergency maintenance. 

"We can confirm that the name of the fatally injured SGL employee is Ulises J. Corrales Ibarra," SGL Constructors said in a statement. "We are currently focused on providing the necessary support to the family, our employees and all those affected by this tragedy."

Work along the project remains suspended. It's not known when construction will resume.
 
"The investigation into the cause of the incident is still ongoing," the statement said. "Work along the 21-mile project remains suspended, with the exception of emergency maintenance and corridor-wide safety patrols that will continue to operate during this time."

FDOT spokesman Steve Olson sent this statement to News 6:

"Florida Department of Transportation's (FDOT) vision statement says this: 'As one FDOT team, we serve the people of Florida by providing a transportation network that is well planned, supports economic growth, and has the goal of being congestion and fatality free.' It is our view the goal of fatality free extends to FDOT construction and maintenance projects, and to the contractors that perform the work.
 
We would like to offer sincere sympathy and condolences to the family during this difficult time.
The FDOT expects a full accounting from the contractor as to the cause. Furthermore FDOT will require corrective measures be put in place to prevent further injuries and deaths associated with this project. This includes an after action plan for increased safety and renewed emphasis that the contractor continues enforcing a culture of safety during all aspects of the I-4 Ultimate project."
 

The death marks the fifth fatality since the $2.3 billion, 21-mile project began in 2015.

Watch News 6 and stay with ClickOrlando.com for updates.


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