Recovery Efforts Continue for Missing Worker in Silo Roof Collapse
Crews continue searching for a worker who fell when the roof of a silo collapsed in Medley
Sunday, Aug 19, 2012 | Updated 4:01 PM EDT
Days after a worker fell 140 feet when the roof of a concrete silo collapsed in Medley, crews continued their efforts to recover the missing man.
Though 58-year-old Pierre Mezidor is presumed dead, officials Sunday said workers were removing debris from the silo as part of the recovery effort, the Miami Herald reported.
Worker Presumed Dead After Fall in Roof Collapse
On day three, crews continued working to remove debris from the site.
“Work continued through the night removing duct, pipe, beams, handrails and metal panels from inside the damaged silo,” Department of Labor spokesman Jesse Lawder told the Herald on Sunday.
He said the debris is being kept in a separate area.
On Saturday, a 300-ton crane was used to aid in the recovery effort, the Herald said.
Mezidor fell from the top of the 250-foot silo at Titan America, a cement plant, Friday morning.
The roof collapse caused adjacent silos to become unstable, hindering search and rescue efforts by firefighters.
The silo's interior was filled with gray, dusty debris. The edge of what had been the roof was ragged and mangled, helicopter footage showed.
Rescue Efforts a Tough Task in Silos
In a statement, Titan America said, "Officials at Titan America deeply regret the incident and emphasize that employee safety is their primary concern. Reasons for the structural collapse are unknown at this point but the company plans to conduct an exhaustive follow-up investigation."
Mezidor worked at Titan for nearly 20 years, according to a release by the company. He worked in the production department of the Pennsuco plant and was measuring the cement content of the silo when the roof collapsed, the report said.
RAW VIDEO: Search for Worker in Silo Roof Collapse
Prince Harry Tours U.S.
