Two people died when scaffolding collapsed near Disney World early morning on Aug. 29, officials said.
The survivor hung on to the scaffold and was able to climb to safety.
“They were on the scaffolding, and for reasons unknown at this time, that support structure gave way, sending two workers plummeting to the ground below. Both died on the scene. A third worker managed to hang onto the scaffolding and managed to climb to safety,” Orange County Fire Rescue spokesman Mike Jachles said.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office and federal investigators with the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration are planning an investigation into the cause of the collapse.
The Orange County Fire Rescue said the location of the rescue was 14900 Chelonia Parkway, which isn’t on Disney property but is near Disney World in Orlando. “Several workers on scaffold/support structure, working between 6 & 7th floors when, for reasons unknown, scaffold gave way,” the agency stated.
The victims haven’t been identified but she said they were both in their early 30s. About 18 workers were at the scene when the accident was called in at 4:15 a.m.
The scaffolding was at a hotel that is under construction.
Marriott International has described the project as a 16-story, $282 million JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort, featuring 516 rooms near Orlando’s popular theme parks.
It’s owned and developed by DCS Investment Holdings, a private equity group based in West Palm Beach, Florida, which is owned by Dwight C. Schar, co-owner of the Washington Redskins.
