(Image: SDOT)
One worker was reported dead after equipment reportedly fell from an upper level of the downtown convention center construction site Monday afternoon.
Seattle Fire was called to the 9th Ave scene just before 2 PM for a “rescue extrication” call at the construction site but a department spokesperson said the person was dead at the scene. According to Seattle Fire radio updates, a lift reportedly fell from the second level of the construction site near 9th and Pine.
UPDATE: According to a statement from a labor official, the worker was a member of Cement Masons Local 528.
Fundraiser: Help for Bryan Phillips Family
UPDATE 9/22/2021: The King County Medical Examiner’s office has identified the victim as Bryan Phillips, 31.
A statement from his union said Phillips was an 11-year member and worked as a plasterer. A fundraiser has been set up to assist his loved ones.
“We are heartbroken. This afternoon a fellow trades member was tragically killed while working at the Washington State Convention Center,” Evelyn Shapiro of the Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters said in a statement. “We share the shock and grief of this worker’s family and friends, coworkers, and fellow union members at Cement Masons Local 528. Tomorrow morning, we will observe a moment of silence on every picket line in solidarity.” The carpenters union is entering a fourth day of a strike over wages and benefits.
The convention center addition rising between Capitol Hill and downtown broke ground in summer of 2018 and construction has continued through the pandemic even as worries have grown about the future of business and trade show gatherings and what could be permanent downturns to the travel and tourism the convention center depends on. Earlier this year, developer The Pine Street Group announced a deal for the sale of $342 million in 10-year bonds to cover financing shortfalls from the pandemic that had the project considering loans from city, county, and state to stay afloat.
Seattle Police said the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries will take the lead in investigating the death because it was a workplace incident.
Despite the waves of big projects and developments that have reshaped many areas around Capitol Hill, serious construction site incidents like this have been rare. In January 2018, a worker died after falling in an elevator shaft during construction of a new dorm building at Seattle University. Later that year, a worker was killed when the forklift he was driving flipped on a steep street at a Madison Valley construction site.
The $1.9 billion Summit Addition convention center expansion is planned to open in 2022.
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You guys could save the rest of the story to show some respect for the worker who lost his life.
You guys even give time for family to be notified before posting I work there saw it happen it’s only been couple hr
They sure didn’t wait very long, politics don’t care about us union workers they just want their project done. I was on lvl 2 right next to it when it happened, freaking sad.
Probably not. They don’t care about us just the bottom line as they quickly moved to.
Jrd,
I work there as well. This is a very sad situation for all involved. This person’s family deserves to have them coming home at the end of the day.
The news article mentioned that this equipment came down from the second floor. That crew was not working on the second floor they were working on the 5th. And from what I hear through the grapevine that equipment came down from the fifth floor.
I’m his brother in law and I’m finding out how it happened from this before his employers will even tell us
I am so sorry for your loss, Drew. Please know there are many of us thinking of you and your family.
Drew, how awful. I’m so sorry for your loss.
So sorry you had to witness that friend. Peace for your heart and families.
This is common practice: The victim’s identity is withheld until the family is notified. To avoid accusations of conspiracy or cover-up and to maintain transparency, involved entities provide general details to the press. When this was initially reported, no details were available outside of place, time, and that a worker had died in an accident.
Did I miss something in the story above? Did they release the NAME of the person? In that case, YES, you wait until the family has been notified. But if it’s just “an accident” with no names about who was hurt, you can run that story of COURSE. Just leave out any names. It’s all public the second the 911 call goes out and the emergency response team shows up anyway.
This is such a tragedy. I also work on this site and it is one of the worst job sites I’ve ever been on. The GC is horrible at safety and cleanliness. We’ve always said someone would get hurt because of how poorly the GC does at safety and site upkeep, I never thought it would be this bad when it happened. My heart goes out to this man and his family.
This article is so poorly written, someone just died and you pander about for something to talk about. How much it cost , how they financed it, touch on workplace accident stats. How about keep it focused on the individual that tragically lost their life and their family, friends and coworkers. Possibly should make sure you have the facts straight too before posting specifics.
Thanks for covering this story. This is the only place I could find news about this sad situation. Did not see anything in the Seattle Times about this incident or on any of the local TV stations.
So thanks again for being a great community resource.
Y’all be safe out there. That man was my cousin and please show some respect for his family
Monday September 20th I received a phone call that destroyed my life. I had been out doing errands all morning. I did the grocery shopping and bought a large pack of Bryan Phillips favorite energy drink, I don’t drink them and always told him he shouldn’t, but we had really good news over the weekend and I wanted him to have a treat. I went to get a cashier’s check for our earnest money deposit. We had just had our offer on a house accepted. I picked up some white chocolate syrup for his morning coffee, he loves it ridiculously sweet. When I got home I put everything away, let out our beautiful dogs and then started checking all the emails I needed to respond to. Then I received a phone call. “There has been a potentially fatal accident at the worksite, we are headed there now to see what’s happening.” 20 minutes later it was confirmed the love of my life was killed in an accident.
Bryan and I met for a date a little over four years ago. We walked around Green Lake, and he was so sweet. He noticed my eyes change colors, I’ve know people for over 20 years that never noticed. He saw it a few hours in. We went on a date every single day, he moved in before the month was over. He said I love you within a few weeks. I said it later because I had never been with anyone, I wanted to be sure. He was my first everything. We were laying in bed and the thought “I love you” just went through my head. I started giggling, I couldn’t speak, he looks over smiles and cheekily says, “You love me”. He was so sure of himself, I don’t know how he knew but he did. When I could get it out between laughs I said it. I proposed a proposal 6 months in, got down on one knee and everything. He said yes, I’ll propose to you. We waited longer then we wanted to, we knew people can be judgemental so we made an effort to wait at least a year.
He wanted to propose on Christmas, he knows I love Christmas and he was such a romantic. The ring didn’t arrive in time. He decided to propose New Year’s Eve instead, he knew that’s when my dad proposed and my parents just celebrated their 30th so it must be good luck.
We spent every day together. We grew together. Laughed together. Cried together. I watched him grow and change and we all know that is so difficult to do. He was always working on himself and trying to do better. I cannot praise him enough.
We had been trying to have a baby for a while now. We had decided a girl would be named Juniper, I thought it was cute, he liked that it had his birthday month in it, “the best month ever” he would say. She was going to be called June-bug and she would have had the bluest eyes. A boy would have been named Edmund in honor of his great grandfather. He always made jokes and appeared to be the manliest of men but he was so sentimental, so romantic, he cared so much.
We always said “I love you to the sun” because to the moon and back wasn’t enough. Everyday before bed we would say I love you and you are my everything. We just celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary two weeks ago, where he wrote a note on the fridge saying, “Happy Anniversary baby, I love you so much! Can’t wait for all the future ones to come! Muah”.
He is my everything. Always was, as soon as I met him. Our time was too short. I am so grateful for the time we had together but I am absolutely furious at the universe for taking him from me. I cannot put in to words how wonderful he was and how much of a difference he made in my life. I am grieving the loss of my perfect man and I am too young to mark widow on forms. Our future was stolen, our children, our home. He is my soulmate and now half my soul has been ripped away.
He always hated his smile. He thought it made him look like the Grinch. I always told him that was ridiculous and it’s the perfect smile. So many people have said in their grieving they will always remember his big smile.
He is so loved by everyone I know, by our friends, our family, his dad and I. I keep reminding myself he deserves every ounce of my grief, he was just so good. He is the best husband I could have asked for. A wonderful big brother. A loving son. A caring friend.
I need him.
He worked so hard to provide for us. He was so supportive of everything I wanted to do and try. I will never meet someone as wonderful as him again.
I love you Bryan Phillips, more than anything.
Dear Jennifer ,
I am so sorry for ur loss . U broke my heart with ur story of u and Brian . I’m sure no words can console u . I lost my husband 31 years ago when he was 40. We were together since I was 15 in hi school and he just came back from the Vietnam war .We we’re together 20 yrs from our very first date till he died I felt about him like u talked of Brian , only we then had 2 children They were 8 and 12. When he had his accident. The 3 of us have gone on but we never got over him. He was such a wonderful caring person and great husband and father.Everyone loved him.The sad thing was after his accident he pulled thru life support but was in a coma for 2 yrs .He never woke up. He was my life and I still love him so ! To watch that man deteriorate those 2 years was horrid so at least Brian is in heaven now and it’s a beautiful place. My husband comes to me every so often in my dreams and lets me know he’s still around . U just had a birthday and friends took me out to a club , well the last song the band played was “ ur momma don’t dance and ur daddy don’t rock and roll” our song when we first went out and he loved to dance .! He let me know I’m still around and Happy Birthday I didn’t forget. He came to me when r best friend passed, and when ur only granddaughter was born ,also when my baby brother passed away recently.so look for him he’ll be watching over u. I’m told I have a gift but I just know him and that he’ll never truly leave us and one day I will be with him again. It’s gonna be hard but u sound like ur a strong woman , u gotta make it for him. I don’t know u but I love u , especially because I’ve been there . Stay strong, make him proud and May God bless and help u thru these tough times . Sending prayers and hugs. Take care of urself sincerely, Debbie
This is a beautiful remembrance of your beloved husband. I’m so sorry you had to write it in these circumstances. Nothing can make up for this kind of loss; only time can soften it somewhat. Thank you for sharing your memories of him and of your lovely relationship. I’m so sorry that your future together was cut off by this senseless accident.
This and all accidents are tragic, and the family and friends should be in everyones prayers. Instead of focusing on the accident, lets focus on the cause of the accident. More Safety Training should be done on site, and at any cost. Just my opinion
I worked there for two years. Had to leave that job in August 20 just one month before this tragedy.
I wasn’t feeling safe any more.