MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Sound Transit contract worker’s death ruled accidental

May 22, 2018, 5:55 AM | Updated: May 24, 2018, 6:16 am

520...

(Patranya Bhoolsuwan/KIRO 7)

(Patranya Bhoolsuwan/KIRO 7)

The King County Medical Examiner’s office says the death of a Sound Transit contract worker was accidental.

Officials say 63-year-old Walter Burrows died after falling 30 to 40 feet Tuesday morning while working on the light rail expansion project on the Eastside.

Burrows, a foreman and employee at Kiewit, fell at a construction site on eastbound State Route 520 near 148th Avenue Northeast in Bellevue, according to the Washington State Patrol.

Kiewit says work at the site was suspended and that employees will attend safety briefings before construction resumes.

“It’s an unfortunate accident,” Sound Transit spokesperson Rachelle Cunningham said. “And I think we’ll be looking into what actually occurred.”

Burrows fell off a pier cap where a girder was being placed around 2:40 a.m. 

CPR was performed by Bellevue fire medics. Burrows died at Harborview Medical Center.

“(He) had been a longtime employee, was very well liked and well known. And our hearts just go out to his family and everyone who worked with him – it’s a terrible tragedy,” Cunningham told KIRO 7.

KIRO 7 contributed to this story.

MyNorthwest News

building collapse...

Associated Press

Firefighters dig through rubble after NYC building collapse kills 1 and traps people in wreckage

Firefighters dug through the rubble of a three-story building in Brooklyn after it collapsed at the edge of a construction site, killing at least one person.

31 minutes ago

Orcas Island Ferry...

Julia Dallas

San Juan County declares emergency over Orcas Island ferry terminal damage

San Juan County has issued a declaration of a state of emergency due to damage at the Orcas Island ferry terminal.

2 hours ago

marijuana...

Aaron Granillo

Nearly 2,700 marijuana plants seized in Snohomish County

Authorities said a complaint about a “strong odor” of marijuana led investigators to an illegal cannabis grow operation in Snohomish County.

3 hours ago

Yakima Mayor Crash Mariners Player Wife Killed...

Regan Gallo-Fenz

Dave Edler, former Mariners player and Yakima mayor, injured in crash that killed wife

Former Yakima Mayor Dave Edler, who also played third base for the Seattle Mariners remains hospitalized after a crash that killed his wife, Susan, on Sunday.

3 hours ago

Trump (3)...

WILL WEISSERT, The Associated Press

Trump says the towering arch he wants to be build might be dedicated to military veterans

President Trump observed Veterans Day by suggesting that the arch he wants to build in his own honor would also be dedicated to the U.S. military.

4 hours ago

health alert frozen meat...

Jason Sutich

USDA issues nationwide health alert for frozen meat, poultry products over undeclared allergens

A public health alert was issued for meat and poultry products nationwide due to misbranding and undeclared allergens such as sesame and Worcestershire sauce.

4 hours ago

Sound Transit contract worker’s death ruled accidental