One construction worker died and seven others were injured, three of them critically, after a six-story scaffolding collapsed Tuesday afternoon at Rio Rancho, N.M.-based Presbyterian Rust Medical Center, according to the Albuquerque Journal.
The 21-foot-wide section of the collapsed scaffolding was attached to a new patient tower nearing completion. McCarthy Building Companies is the contractor.
All of the victims were construction workers and employees of a subcontractor for McCarthy. Many of the employees were working on windows and other items on the fifth floor when the scaffolding fell.
Presbyterian delivery system COO Clay Holderman said the cause of the accident is unknown. "We've been working on safety and treating the people who were injured, and now the investigation will begin," he said. "Our prayers are with the employees and their families."
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