A construction worker was killed and a truck driver injured after a highway overpass collapsed in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Monday, city officials said.
Investigators are still seeking the cause of the collapse but described it as a "workplace incident," noting that it occurred in a heavy construction area.
"Something went wrong and a tragedy has occurred,” Cincinnati City Manager Harry Black said.
Construction crews were preparing the old Hopple Street overpass for demolition when a "pancake collapse" occurred causing a section of the bridge to crumble onto Interstate 75, according to the Cincinnati Fire Department. Southbound lanes of the highway will be for closed at least 48 hours for the investigation and to remove debris from the collapse, Police Chief Jeffery Blackwell said.
Killed was construction worker and father of four Brandon Carl, 35, who was in a backhoe when the collapsed, authorities said. The truck driver was "very lucky" to have survived with only minor lacerations, Blackwell said.