AIRWAY HEIGHTS, Wash. — The Airway Heights Fire Department and Airway Heights police are responding to a fatal incident at the Spokane Tribe Casino. One person was killed in the incident.
The incident reportedly happened at the construction site of the casino's new five-story hotel, which was set to open sometime this year. Police responded at 9:45 a.m. It is not clear how the incident happened.
According to Javier De La Rosa, the general manager of the casino, they are working with state, local and tribal agencies to investigate what happened leading up to the accident. Officials can only confirm one death and cannot speak to other potential injuries.
De La Rosa did confirm the person killed was a construction worker. The casino is working with law enforcement to identify the person.
KREM 2 confirmed the construction company hired as a subcontractor for this project in Swinerton, Inc. The company released the following statement regarding the incident:
A formwork collapse occurred at a casino/hotel construction project currently underway in Spokane at approximately 9am today. We are very saddened to share that the incident resulted in the death of a subcontractor employee working on site. Emergency services were immediately called to the scene and the area was secured. Unfortunately, the efforts of medical personnel were unsuccessful. There were no other workers involved or injured in the incident.
The circumstances of this situation are unclear at this time and it is too early to speculate on what may have been the cause of this incident. Safety is our number one priority, when something like this happens it is our responsibility to find out why. Our Management and Safety teams are onsite and currently working together with investigating authorities to find out the exact cause. When it is known we will make information available so it may help others.
The company added counseling assistance will be made for team members and they are actively working with local authorities and OSHA to investigate the incident.
The project site will be closed through at least March 8.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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