Worker Killed in Water Tower Accident

On the morning of July 6, 2018, Karen Reed was having her coffee at her home in Porter, Texas. “I heard a metal on metal noise, a boom. When I heard it I looked at my son who lives next door and said, ‘baby that can’t be good,'” Reed said.

Nearby Reed’s home, four construction workers were working 150 feet in the air atop a 500,000 gallon water tower being built. Unfortunately, a steel panel being lifted came crashing into the open water tank as four workers were inside. Nearby eyewitnesses say they could see the workers panicking at the site, not knowing if the workers up above in the water tower were ok.

Porter’s Assistant Fire Chief Cleave Pamphile says the existing equipment at the accident site, specifically a large crane, was helpful in the rescue mission. The firefighters were able to lower two workers safely from the water tower, a third worker was seriously injured and taken to Conroe Regional Hospital, and a fourth worker was pronounced dead at the scene.

The four contract workers were contracted by Phoenix Fabricators and Erectors, LLC. Currently, a management team consisting of Phoenix safety and construction specialists is onsite in Porter, Texas as part of an ongoing investigation into the cause of this accident. In addition, both Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) representatives and applicable state and local authorities are investigating the cause of this accident. At this time, the names of the injured workers have not yet been released.

If you or someone you know has been injured at a construction site or on the job, contact an experienced attorney at Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner by calling (713) 222-7211 or toll free at 713-222-7211.