Worker dies in construction accident at North Carolina State University

A construction worker has died on the North Carolina State University campus in Raleigh after a lift collapsed in wet ground, the state Department of Labor reported.

The Raleigh News & Observer reports that a lift carrying the worker on Saturday was extended about 35 feet in the air when the dirt caved in around one of its tires, a spokeswoman for the Department of Labor said.

DPR Construction identified the victim as Tiburcio Mendoza.

The accident happened at the site of the university's new Plant Sciences building, a 185,000-square-foot project.

Ro Norman of DPR Construction said the worker was a subcontractor and the team is “deeply saddened.”

“Our focus continues to be the safety of all employees, workers and visitors on our job sites,” Norman said in an email. “The investigation of this incident is ongoing, and DPR is fully committed to working closely with investigators to help determine the details surrounding this incident. At this time, our thoughts are with this individual’s family and friends.”