Everett, MA — Two construction workers were killed Friday when a crane collapsed from a barge into the Mystic River at a redevelopment site near Boston Harbor, authorities confirmed. The fatal incident occurred during ongoing demolition work at a former ExxonMobil fuel terminal site in Everett.
Tragic Collapse on the Mystic River
According to Everett Police Chief Paul Strong, one worker was pronounced dead at the scene, while another was transported to a nearby hospital and later succumbed to his injuries.
“One of the victims had to be extracted from the downed crane,” Chief Strong said, noting that their identities will be released once families are notified.
Aerial footage obtained by NBC News showed the red tower of the crane lying flat across its barge and adjacent docks, surrounded by emergency response teams.
Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria described the victims as “young men” employed by a private company involved in dismantling the decades-old terminal.
“May they rest in eternal peace,” DeMaria said, expressing condolences to the victims’ families.
Investigation Underway
Authorities said the cause of the collapse remains unclear, and an investigation is ongoing to determine whether mechanical failure, operator error, or barge instability played a role. The exact time of the collapse has not been released.
The Everett Fire Department praised the collaborative efforts of multiple rescue agencies who responded to the incident.
“This was a complex technical rescue which involved our members as well as crews from our mutual aid partners,” the department said in a statement. “Those at the scene did a tremendous job.”
Officials confirmed that first responders faced challenging conditions due to the crane’s position on the barge and its partial submersion in the water.
Redevelopment of Former ExxonMobil Site
Mayor DeMaria said the crane was operating at a redevelopment site formerly owned by ExxonMobil. The property, long used as a marine fuel terminal since 1965, is being transformed into a large-scale commercial complex.
Everett Landco, the joint venture leading the redevelopment, confirmed that all work involving the barge has been suspended pending the investigation.
“We are heartbroken by the tragic accident that occurred today in Everett,” Everett Landco said in a statement. “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 company’s redevelopment plan envisions 7.2 million square feet of industrial facilities, manufacturing buildings, offices, and retail spaces along the Mystic River — part of a major revitalization effort feeding into Boston Harbor.
Community in Mourning
The tragic event has shaken both the Everett construction community and local residents who have watched the site’s redevelopment with optimism. City leaders and labor groups are calling for a comprehensive safety review to ensure similar accidents are prevented in the future.
Flags at municipal buildings in Everett were reportedly lowered to half-staff in honor of the victims.
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