TEXAS CITY, Texas – An investigation is underway after the body of a Marathon Petroleum Corp. contract worker who fell in the water at the Port of Texas City was found.
Emergency managers said the man, identified as 22-year-old Louis Gonzalez, was one of five workers employed by the Excel Scaffold Corporation who had been erecting the scaffolding at Dock 34 Monday morning. Shortly after 11 a.m., the scaffold collapsed and fell into about 25 feet of water.
Gonzalez had been attached to the scaffold by his safety line.
One of Gonzalez's co-workers went into the water to try to free him, according to the fire department, but was unable to reach him.
Gonzalez's body was recovered by Galveston County Sheriff's Office divers working with the Texas City Fire Department and U.S. Coast Guard, after a four-hour search.
The four other men working on the scaffolding were not injured.
A statement by Marathon Petroleum read in part, "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time."
Worker killed in Marathon refinery accident was attached to collapsed scaffolding by his safety line. pic.twitter.com/kxkUsg3ntO
— Phil Archer (@KPRC2Phil) September 12, 2016