COVINGTON, Georgia (WSAV) – Federal occupational safety officials are investigating a bridge demolition accident that killed a worker Tuesday night.
Two other workers seriously injured in the bridge collapse were in critical condition Wednesday, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Authorities have identified the deceased worker as a 33-year-old Demario Battle. An aunt told WXIA-TV that Battle was a loving father who had nine children, ages 3-15.
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According to the Newton County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO), part of an access road bridge near I-20 in Newton County collapsed while construction workers dismantled the bridge.
The three construction workers were submerged in the Yellow River, NCSO said. First responders rescued the workers, while additional equipment, crews and a crane were brought in to recover equipment from the collapse.
According to the NCSO, the bridge is expected to be closed for the next 270 days.
The Labor Protection Agency is investigating, according to the Georgia Department of Transportation.
Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that the incident occurred in southwest Georgia. Newton County is southeast of Atlanta.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
