Two Workers Fall to Death in Accident at Kingdome
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SEATTLE — A construction crane accident at the Kingdome killed two people and injured one Wednesday night, authorities said.
Two workers sandblasting the stadium ceiling fell some 250 feet when a basket affixed to the top of a crane broke loose, a Seattle Fire Department spokeswoman said.
As it fell, the basket struck the cab carrying crane operator Charles Cox, 25. Cox was being evaluated late Wednesday night at Harborview Medical Center for a possible head injury, Harborview spokesman Larry Zalin said. Cox was listed in serious condition.
No names or hometowns were immediately available for the dead men.
The dead men worked for Long Painting Co. of Portland, Ore., Taylor said. The crane was operated by Ness Crane of Tacoma.
The fatality was believed to be the first involving a workman at the Kingdome, Taylor said. The accident occurred about 8 p.m. at the downtown stadium.
The Kingdome has been closed since July 19 for renovation after four ceiling tiles fell into the stands before a baseball game.
All 40,000 tiles have been removed. King County Executive Gary Locke said he hoped to have the ceiling renovation completed and the Kingdome reopened by Sept. 18, in time for the Seattle Seahawks’ NFL opener.
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