Worker killed at construction site in Jefferson City

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

A construction worker died as a result of a collapse at the Old St. Mary's Hospital site Tuesday in Jefferson City.

Jefferson City Fire Chief Matt Schofield told reporters at the scene about the death Tuesday afternoon when a portion of the retaining wall collapsed at about 1 p.m. The collapse trapped the worker.

Emergency responders gained access to the worker after about 40 minutes, according to the fire department. The worker died at the scene.

The worker was employed by one of three companies working at the construction site.

Building permits show at least two subcontractors, Twehous Excavating and Schrimpf Landscaping, were working on the retaining wall at the property, which is owned by Farmer Holdings Co.

ABC 17 News contacted all three companies and none provided a comment Tuesday.

Officials earlier drivers to avoid Missouri Boulevard and Highway 50 for an unknown amount of time.

Video from the scene is available in the player below

The Missouri Department of Transportation Central District tweeted that a "police emergency" had closed the entrance to westbound Missouri Boulevard at Highway 50.

Officers at the scene were directing traffic away from the Old St. Mary's Hospital construction site.

Jefferson City police and firefighters, Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers and Cole County ambulances were at the scene.