Man killed in construction accident in Weber Canyon

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Courtney Orton reportingA construction worker fell to his death today in Weber Canyon. He fell while preparing an area in the canyon for construction set to begin this summer on the eastbound lanes of I-84.

It happened just after 11:00 this morning below an overpass on the interstate. Investigators aren't sure how or why the 40-year-old Salt Lake man fell from the platform he was installing under an overpass near milepost 91. They're hoping to get some answers from the six other workers who were working in the area at the time.

"They were putting up some barriers underneath to catch any debris that may fall, and in the process of putting up the barriers there was an accident where an individual fell," said Sgt. Chad Barnett, with the Weber County Sheriff's Office.

Authorities say the man fell about 50 feet and suffered severe head injuries. They also say barriers like the one he fell off of are often used in construction. "It is normal for them to set up a type of support structure to catch any type of debris. They've got it in most of the construction you'll see downtown, or even on some of the major activities they are doing on the freeways," Barnett explained.

All work has ceased in the area until the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the construction company the man worked for, Wadsworth Brothers Construction, can investigate the scene.

Authorities are still working to notify the man's family.

E-mail: corton@ksl.com