The Los Angeles International Airport has suspended the construction of its new electric train system for two days after a column apparently collapsed early Saturday, killing one worker.
A rebar column fell down around 6 a.m. near the Theme Building, the Space Age structure located near East Way and Center Way, according airport officials.
The Los Angeles Fire Department and airport police responded the scene and performed CPR, but the worker was “beyond medical help” and died at the location, a statement from LAX said.
The case remains under investigation, but airport authorities believe it was an accident. The Fire Department only identified the crew member as a man.
The Los Angeles Police Department will lead the probe with help from airport police, according to LAX. The California Occupational Safety and Health will also investigate.
Airport officials announced instituting a two-day “safety shutdown” of the construction of the new train system known as the Automated People Mover. The project broke ground in 2019, and operation was expected to begin in 2023.
“Los Angeles World Airports’ thoughts and prayers are with the person’s family, friends and fellow construction workers during this horrible tragedy. … We will be gathering additional information and sharing as we have it,” a statement from LAX said.
