COVINGTON, Ga. (WSAV) – Federal workplace safety officials are investigating a bridge demolition accident that killed one worker Tuesday evening.
Two other workers critically injured in the bridge collapse were in critical condition Wednesday, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Authorities have identified the deceased worker as 33-year-old Demario Battle. An aunt told WXIA-TV that Battle was a loving father who had nine children between the ages of 3 and 15.
According to the Newton County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO), a portion of an access road bridge near I-20 in Newton County collapsed while construction workers were dismantling the bridge.
The three construction workers became submerged in the Yellow River, NCSO said. First responders rescued the workers, meanwhile, additional equipment, crews and a crane were brought in to recover equipment from the collapse.
NCSO said the bridge is expected to be closed for the next 270 days.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating, according to the Georgia Department of Transportation.
Correction: a previous version of this article incorrectly stated the incident happened in Southwest Georgia. Newton County is located southeast of Atlanta.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
