MERRITT ISLAND, Fla. – A tragic crane collapse at a central Florida construction site claimed the lives of two workers on Wednesday. The incident occurred at the future site of the $410 million Cape Canaveral Hospital and Medical Office Building on Merritt Island, amid heavy rain and wind gusts topping 50 mph.

Emergency responders pulled both workers from beneath the wreckage of twisted steel and concrete and transported them to a nearby hospital, where they were pronounced dead. According to Brevard County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Tod Goodyear, their identities have not yet been released pending family notifications.

The incident unfolded just as the National Weather Service issued an advisory for strong winds and urged residents to seek shelter. Fox Weather reported that the region had been “under a tropical envelope for days,” and that the ongoing wet conditions may have contributed to “unsteady terrain.”

Despite the deteriorating weather, construction activity had continued. Video footage shared on social media showed the mangled boom of the crane resting on the ground as workers rushed to evacuate the scene.

The project, owned by Florida-based Health First and managed by Gilbane Building Company, began in March 2024. The 267,900-square-foot facility is scheduled to open in 2027 and is being built to endure the intensity of a Category 4 hurricane, due to its coastal location.

In a statement, Health First acknowledged a “serious weather-related incident at the Cape Canaveral Hospital construction site involving a crane,” and confirmed it is “monitoring the situation closely with local authorities and Gilbane, the construction management company on the project, as they continue their investigation.”

A Gilbane Building spokesman provided more detail, stating: “Two trade contract workers, one employed by Baker Concrete and the other by another trade contractor, were fatally injured as a result of an incident involving a crane. We share our deepest condolences with the families, loved ones, and co-workers.”

Social media users expressed grief and frustration over the incident. “So very sad. Thoughts & prayers for the families. The winds got so high at times today that I don’t even understand why they were out in it,” one commenter posted on Facebook. Another wrote, “How horrible, poor workers may their families find strength during this difficult time.”

The site has been closed as federal and state investigators, including those from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), work to determine the cause of the collapse.

Crane accidents are not uncommon during severe weather events. Past tragedies like the 1999 “Big Blue” crane collapse in Milwaukee and the 2019 Dallas tower crane disaster during a thunderstorm have highlighted the risks of operating heavy machinery in unsafe weather. Investigations into such events often point to a combination of wind, mechanical failure, and lapses in safety protocol.

The construction industry remains among the most dangerous sectors in the U.S. In 2023, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 1,075 construction-related deaths—the highest since 2011. Falls, being struck by objects, caught-in/between incidents, and electrocutions—known collectively as the “Fatal Four”—remain the leading causes of fatalities.

As the investigation continues, Wednesday’s incident serves as a somber reminder of the risks faced by construction workers, particularly during extreme weather. The construction community and the families of the deceased now await further answers on how this tragedy occurred—and whether it could have been prevented.

Originally reported by Jerry White in WSWS.