Updated, 10:55 a.m., Feb. 8: A Suffolk Construction boom working on Brightline’s MiamiCentral station hit a Metromover car in downtown Miami on Wednesday, killing one construction worker and injuring another.
The boom collided with the Metromover car during a maintenance run around 1 a.m. on Wednesday, according to the Miami Herald. No passengers were on the train. Construction worker Oscar Cabrera, 43, died at Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center and construction worker Luis Perez was injured. Co-workers helped one construction worker, who was dangling from the boom, down to the ground.
Suffolk spokesperson Kim Vaughan released the following statement: “We learned about this terribly sad incident early this morning, and our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the two individuals involved. We are currently working closely with the Miami-Dade police department, Miami-Dade Transit and OSHA as they continue to investigate the cause of this accident.”
#BREAKING @MiamiDadePD confirms 1 of the construction workers died from his injuries. 2nd victim is in stable condition. #metromover #Miami pic.twitter.com/suRLoRKP8y
— Vanessa Morales (@NewsDeskChica) February 8, 2017
Suffolk has not had any Occupational Safety and Health Administration violations in Florida over the last decade, according to the Herald. OSHA, Miami-Dade police and Miami-Dade transit are investigating the accident.
The All Aboard Florida project is split into two sections: the 9-acre transit hub in downtown Miami that’s being built alongside the existing Government Center Metromover Station, plus a separate 12-story tower with office space, parking and a major grocery tenant. Plans for the downtown Miami portion show All Aboard is building three mixed-use towers that will sit above the project’s elevated rail tracks.
As of last year, Suffolk was aiming for a mid-2017 delivery date. [Miami Herald] – Katherine Kallergis
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.