By: Lesley Cosme Torres, Jack Prator
Source: Tampa Bay Times (TNS)
A construction worker died after equipment he was operating fell off a shuttle track at Tampa International Airport on Wednesday morning.
Just after 7:30 a.m., airport police received reports of a construction accident involving an equipment operator working on the Airside A shuttle guideway renovation project. The equipment, called a track hoe [excavator], had fallen off the track, and the operator died from his injuries, according to an update from the airport.
The Hillsborough County Aviation Authority, which operates TPA, has stopped all work on the project and started a comprehensive safety review into the incident, according to an update from the airport.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration opened an investigation Wednesday. The airport is working with the project’s contractor, Johnson-Laux Construction, “to fully understand what happened,” according to a news release.
Airport police and Tampa police are also investigating.
“We are heartbroken about the passing of one of our construction workers. We share our deepest condolences with his loved ones,” said airport CEO Joe Lopano in a statement. “Tampa International Airport is conducting a comprehensive investigation into this accident.”
