Two workers at a redevelopment site near Boston Harbor were killed when a construction crane toppled from a barge on the Mystic River on Friday, authorities said.
One worker was pronounced dead at a hospital and another died at the scene, the police chief for the city of Everett, Paul Strong, said at the scene.
One of the victims had to be extracted from the downed crane, the chief said. Their identities will be released after family is notified, he said.
Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria told NBC Boston that the victims were “young men” who worked for a private company helping to dismantle the onetime fuel terminal, which opened in 1965.
“May they rest in eternal peace,” DeMaria said of the men.
The estimated time of the collapse on Friday was unavailable.
It’s not clear why the crane collapsed, and the question will be part of an investigation, authorities said. Aerial imagery from NBC Boston showed what appeared to be a construction crane’s red tower flat on its barge and across adjacent docks.
In a statement, the Everett Fire Department praised first responders for their help in reaching the victims.
“This was a complex technical rescue which involved our members as well as crews from our mutual aid partners,” it said, adding that those at the scene did “a tremendous job.”
DeMaria said the collapse happened at a site formerly owned by ExxonMobil. Everett Landco, a joint venture redeveloping the former marine terminal, said on its website that its October operations included taking down storage tanks and dismantling offices at the location.
The joint venture said by email that all work based on the barge where the crane was operating has been paused.
“We are heartbroken by the tragic accident that occurred today in Everett,” Everett Landco said. “Our deepest sympathies go out to the families, friends, and colleagues of those who lost their lives and to everyone affected by this incident. We are working closely with public safety officials and the contractors performing the work to gather information and understand what happened.”
The entity’s website said the location was once used to distribute petroleum products and store gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, oil and asphalt. Plans include 7.2 million square feet of industrial structures, manufacturing buildings, offices and retail along the Mystic River, which feeds into nearby Boston Harbor, the company said.
ExxonMobil did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Everett has a population just shy of 50,000 and is 6 miles north of downtown Boston.
