Worker at Tampa International Airport tried to escape excavator before fatal fall, report says
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On July 31, a tragic incident at Tampa International Airport resulted in the death of 29-year-old construction worker Cesar Hernandez Donu, who was operating an excavator that fell off a guideway. Witnesses reported that Donu had lifted a metal plate with the excavator and began turning left when the machine tipped over the edge. Realizing the danger, he attempted to unbuckle his seatbelt to escape but was unable to do so in time. The excavator fell approximately 65 feet, landing upside down, and Donu was found trapped inside, breathing sporadically when police arrived. Officer Carlos Lopez noted that despite attempts to free him, Donu's condition worsened, and he ultimately stopped breathing.
Rescue crews used hydraulic tools to extricate him, but he was pronounced dead shortly thereafter. The incident has raised serious safety concerns and is currently under investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which has not yet released further details. This tragic event serves as a reminder of the inherent dangers faced by construction workers in high-risk environments.