Investigation underway for Wake Tech North bridge collapse that kills one worker, injures four

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Wake Tech celebrated the "topping out" of its Building F library project at its Northern Wake Campus in September.

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Amanda Jones Hoyle

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A pedestrian bridge under construction at the Wake Tech Community College's Northern Campus collapsed Thursday morning killing one worker and critically injuring four others.

The workers were pouring concrete at the time of the incident but further details about how or why the bridge collapsed are not yet available, says Wake Tech spokeswoman Laurie Clowers.

The incident at the campus on U.S. 401 in north Raleigh is still under investigation.

The four injured workers, whose names have not yet been identified, were transferred to WakeMed. Clowers, when contacted around 12:30 p.m., said their conditions are classified as critical. The collapse was reported around 10:15 a.m.

"We're saddened that this happened at our Northern campus. It's been a difficult day," she says.

The general contractor hired for the pedestrian bridge project is Skanska USA, and the subcontractor company is Central Concrete of Raleigh.

In an afternoon statement, a Skanska issued a statement noting that the cause of the accident was "not known at this time."

"It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the loss of a subcontractor employee. We are also aware of four additional subcontractor injuries. ... The incident is currently under investigation. Our focus right now is on the injured and the families of those affected. We want to thank local police, fire and EMS for their rapid response to the accident."

The section of bridge that collapsed was 140 feet in length. At its highest point, it is 40 feet above the ground, Clowers says.

The pedestrian bridge, when complete, will span 240 feet over a wetlands area on the campus to connect a future parking deck building with the new Building F project that is under construction. Building F will house the college's library when complete.

Amanda Jones Hoyle covers commercial and residential real estate. Follow her on Twitter @TBJrealestate