Larriston Lake and Paul Ledwell die in fatal Everett crane collapse
The fatal Everett crane collapse deaths of Larriston Lake and Paul Ledwell
Officials confirmed the deaths of Larriston Lake, aged 44 from Roslindale, and Paul Ledwell, aged 37 from Middleboro, following a catastrophic failure of a crane at a waterfront site in Everett on Friday. The incident occurred while the two individuals were engaged in work activities near the Encore Boston Harbor casino, specifically on Rover Street.
Investigators determined that a critical cable malfunction caused the heavy equipment to fail, resulting in the structure falling upon the laborers who were in the process of severing pipes attached to the dock. At the time of the accident, the team was involved in the decommissioning of a former fuel-related facility that was associated with Exxon Mobil.
Emergency responders arrived swiftly, but the impact was so severe that one worker lost their life instantly at the worksite. The second individual was transported to a regional medical institution, though subsequent medical assessments concluded that they did not survive their injuries.
Federal and state regulatory bodies, including the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the United States Coast Guard, are set to examine the crash site on Monday to gather evidence and analyze the mechanical failure. The probe into the fatal accident is being handled jointly by the Middlesex District Attorney’s office, Everett city authorities, Massachusetts State Police, and the Chief Medical Examiner’s office to determine the full scope of events.
A representative from the labor union Pile Drivers & Divers Local 56 disclosed in a statement issued on Friday that both deceased workers were active members of the organization, highlighting their professional contributions.
