An ironworker was in critical condition after being electrocuted while working on the Third Track Project at the Long Island Rail Road station in Mineola Saturday morning, according to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
Officials from the transit authority said the incident occurred around 9:30 a.m. Saturday when crews were erecting a pedestrian bridge above the railroad tracks. Officials said the crane that the workers were using came into contact with high-voltage wires.
Janno Lieber, the president for the authority’s construction and development, said the agency was investigating the incident.
“The contact with the high voltage line created an arc to the bridge that seriously injured a female ironworker who was on the structure at the time,” Lieber said. “She was immediately rushed to the hospital and is in critical condition. Our thoughts and prayers are with her, her family and our crews and we will continue to do everything we can to support them.”
Officials did not disclose any other information about the worker.
Anthony Simon, who heads up the SMART Transportation Union 824, which represents the ironworkers, told news outlets he remains concerned about workplace safety after the incident.
“We are calling for a safety stand-down and to get legislation to get people out here to make sure this job is safe,” Simon told News 12. “I am concerned that they are jeopardizing people’s lives so they can cut a ribbon.”
Transit authority officials said they are reviewing their safety procedures.
