New York City

1 Dead, 1 Badly Hurt in NYC Construction Accident

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What to Know

  • One person died and another was badly hurt in an apparent construction accident in Queens Thursday, officials said
  • It was a race to help following a wall collapse -- an incident that ultimately killed a 50-year-old construction worker
  • Chopper 4 was over the scene of the construction site, which was riddled with brick and debris

One person is dead and another in serious condition following an apparent construction accident in Queens Thursday morning, according to the FDNY.

The FDNY said the department got a call about fallen debris at 147-94th Ave early Thursday afternoon.

It was a race to help following a wall collapse — an incident that ultimately killed a 50-year-old construction worker. Another 44-year-old man was badly hurt after the wall came crashing down on his legs. He is expected to survive.

This area on the corner of 94th Avenue and Sutphin Boulevard, one block away from the Jamaica LIRR Train Station, is being cleared for the construction of a 24 story mixed use building including apartments and a parking garage. The workers were on the second floor when the wall collapsed, the NYPD said. A stop work order has since been issued.

News 4 reached out to the company who pulled the permit. A person who answered the phone told us they did not have a statement at this time.

Chopper 4 was over the scene of the construction site, which was riddled with brick and debris. It appeared that a portion of a structure possibly caved in on top of construction machinery.

Investigators were seen canvassing the immediate area. Law enforcement sources tell News 4 that at this point there does not appear to be any criminality.

News 4 reached out to the city's Department of Buildings for comment.

“Any loss of life on a construction site is a tragedy, and our engineers and inspectors are already on site conducting a thorough investigation. We want to assure the families of the victims that we will hold all responsible parties accountable to the fullest extent of the law," DOB Commissioner Melanie E. La Rocca said.

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