Merritt Island, FL - A tragic incident unfolded on Wednesday afternoon when a crane collapsed at a hospital construction site in Merritt Island resulting in the deaths of two construction workers.
The accident occurred around 2 p.m. at the site of the new Cape Canaveral Hospital located at 255 Borman Drive.
Emergency responders arrived promptly, and the two injured workers were transported to a nearby hospital, where they were later pronounced dead, according to Brevard County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Tod Goodyear.
The identities of the victims have not been released pending notification of their families.
The cause of the crane collapse is currently under investigation. At the time of the incident, the area was experiencing heavy rain and strong wind gusts. The National Weather Service reported wind speeds between 30 to 50 mph along the coast, which, while below severe levels, may have contributed to unstable conditions at the construction site.
Additionally, a wind gust of 58 mph was recorded in the area around the time of the collapse.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has been notified and is expected to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.
Gilbane Building Company, overseeing the construction project, stated that the two individuals who died were not employees of their company.
The new Cape Canaveral Hospital, a $410 million project, began construction in March 2024 and is slated to open in 2027.
The 267,900-square-foot facility is designed to include 120 private patient rooms, 25 emergency department treatment rooms, four emergency treatment bays, and six operating rooms. Given its proximity to the coastline, the hospital is being constructed to withstand the strength of a Category 4 hurricane.
As the investigation continues, authorities have not yet determined whether the crane was in operation at the time of the collapse or if there were any warning signs prior to the incident.
Further details are expected to be released following the completion of official inquiries.