Worker dies after iron beam falls at Hong Kong construction site amid rainstorm

Construction of a vehicular bridge at Hong Kong International Airport was suspended on Thursday after a worker was killed by a falling iron beam.

Police said on Thursday that they received a report at 1.58pm that an iron beam had fallen at the site, hitting two workers.

One of them was pronounced dead at the scene while the other, who suffered an injured wrist and shoulder, was taken to North Lantau Hospital for treatment.

The incident happened on Shun Wui Road, which is located on the artificial island that houses the border crossing facilities of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, according to the force.

The Airport Authority said the site was part of its Airportcity Link project, which includes a dedicated vehicular bridge integrated with a pedestrian walkway that will connect the Hong Kong border crossing of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge with the Skycity shopping centre. Autonomous vehicles will be run on the new bridge.

It added that the accident occurred while the contractor was removing a structure, which collapsed.

“The Airport Authority is deeply saddened by the worker’s death and is following up with the project contractor. All related work has been suspended,” it said.

A red rainstorm signal had been in effect in Hong Kong as heavy rain and thunderstorms, caused by the remnants of tropical Cyclone Danas, hit the city, at the time of the incident.