Construction worker dies after falling at Bryan Co. megasite

BRYAN COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) - A construction worker has died after falling at the Bryan County megasite over the weekend.

Hyundai is describing this as a workplace accident that happened on Saturday morning.

Bryan County’s deputy coroner says a 35-year-old man died after falling from a structure of what will be the paint shop at the electric vehicle plant. The paint shop was one of the first buildings to go vertical at the site following the plant’s groundbreaking back in October.

The man has been identified as Victor Javier Cajija Gamboa, of Statesboro.

The company said Gamboa’s safety harness lanyard failed resulting in the fall. The coroner’s office said he fell from 60 feet.

Economic officials confirm that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is investigating.

Below is a statement from Hyundai Motor Group:

“Hyundai Motor Group is deeply saddened that a subcontractor died on April 29, 2023, as a result of injuries sustained in a workplace accident at the construction site of its Metaplant America manufacturing facility in Bryan County, Georgia. The safety and security of everyone in our facility and at the construction site is our highest priority and we have full commitment to following Occupational Industrial Safety and Health policies.

The individual fell from a three-story paint shop structure. Initial information indicates the individual’s safety harness lanyard failed. Together with the contractor and the relevant authorities, we are fully supporting the investigation to understand the full circumstances of the incident to ensure this type of accident does not reoccur.

We express our deepest condolences to the individual’s family, friends and coworkers.”

Below is a statement from the Joint Development Authority:

The Savannah Harbor Interstate 16 Corridor Joint Development Authority offers its condolences to the family, friends and coworkers of the subcontractor who died on April 29 at the construction site for Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America. The employee was employed by a subcontractor on the site.

Hyundai Motor Group’s, Hyundai Engineering America’s, and the subcontractor’s primary concern has been and will continue to be the safety and security of everyone on the construction site. They are fully cooperating with the investigation.

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