Photo: Courtesy of the Boston Fire Department
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — One construction worker is dead after the Government Center parking garage in downtown Boston partially collapsed on Saturday night.
51-year-old Peter Monsini of South Easton was the demolition worker that died after falling nine stories, when the floor below him gave out. Monsini was a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 4.
The jobsite located at One Congress Street was of construction firm John Moriarty & Associates, who released a statement to WBZ NewsRadio shortly after the incident. Officials said that the fatality happened at around 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, as a concrete slab on the ninth floor and east side of the Government Center garage collapsed and impacted into the eighth floor.
Boston Fire Commissioner Jack Dempsey told WBZ-TV that the worker had a "substantial fall" from the ninth floor of the garage while doing demolition work, which caused a partial collapse of the building.
“Any building being demolished is a dangerous scene,” Dempsey said. “Probably more dangerous than when they’re putting them up.”
Following the incident, construction officials said that subcontractors working demolition at the time were evacuated and that the site has been temporarily shut down. Before any work resumes, John Moriarty & Associates said that structural engineers will ensure the safety of the site.
"Our heartfelt thoughts and condolences go out to the loved ones of the worker who lost his life. JMA remains committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace for all our employees and trade partners. We would like to thank the Boston Police Department and EMS for their swift response," JMA said.
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"The workers who take on the risks of this- their families should never have to worry about whether they're going home at night and returning. As the investigation continues, the City will do whatever it takes to know what happened here," Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said.
Suffolk County District Attorney's Office said in a statement that an investigation is under way.
“Our office, along with numerous local, state and federal agencies, will be involved in investigating this tragedy. Our office is a stone’s throw away from the garage and our staff has watched through their office windows all the work being done these many months," Hayden said, "To know that one of the workers on this project has tragically died weighs heavy on our hearts. Our deepest sympathies go out to his family and friends.”
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