Construction worker drowns after boat tips on New York bridge project

About 6 workers went underneath and harnessed themselves up in a rescue attempt of a worker who fell into the Genesee River on Monday, June 22. (Photo from the Democrat and Chronicle)About 6 workers went underneath and harnessed themselves up in a rescue attempt of a worker who fell into the Genesee River on Monday, June 22. (Photo from the Democrat and Chronicle)

A New York construction worker drowned Monday after the boat he was doing bridge work in tipped over.

According to the Democrat and Chronicle, a 35-year-old man was working for the Pike Company on the Inner Loop Bridge in Rochester, New York, from a small boat in the Genesee River. The boat tipped and the worker fell in the water.

He was wearing a safety line to prevent him from going over a nearby waterfall, but the line got stuck underwater. The worker drowned as he was trapped under an abutment.

Rochester Fire Lt. Willie Jackson told the Democrat and Chronicle the man was found as soon as they arrived at about 8:30 a.m., but he was already dead. The Rochester Gas and Electric Corp., which operates a nearby dam, had to reduce the Genesee River’s water flow in order for rescuers to retrieve the body.

“We continuously review our on-the-job safety protocols, and offer regular safety training to our employees. This is an unprecedented event and the most serious accident since our company’s inception,” the Pike Company said in a statement.

The New York Department of Transportation awarded the Pike Company the $5.9 million project earlier this year to rehab the Inner Loop Bridge.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the accident.