High winds suspected at scene where 2 workers killed in Florida crane collapse. What we know

Yahoo

05-06-2025

An investigation continues into the collapse of a giant crane a hospital under construction in Merritt Island June 4.
Two workers were killed when the crane collapsed during what was described as "a serious weather-related incident."
Earlier in the day, a special weather statement from NWS Melbourne warned of 50 mph winds until 3 p.m. in the Merritt Island area.
The new hospital, described as the "largest capital project in the history of Central Merritt Island," relocates Cape Canaveral Hospital from its current site in Cocoa Beach.
"The new hospital will be built to withstand a Category 4 hurricane," and will stand 13 feet above sea level to withstand storm surge, according to MyMerrittIslandFL.com.
Here's what we know so far.
A crane being used for construction of Health First's Cape Canaveral Hospital on Merritt Island collapsed June 4, crushing a work truck and causing damage to the roof of the building.
Gilbane Building, which is providing construction-management services on the Cape Canaveral Hospital project, said "two trade contract workers, one employed by Baker Concrete and the other by another trade contractor, were fatally injured."
The names of those killed have not been released.
At the time of the crane collapse, a special weather statement issued by the National Weather Service on X was in effect, warning winds up to 50 mph were possible until 3 p.m.
Will Ulrich, warning coordination meteorologist for the National Weather Service, said the collapse likely occurred when the leading edge of a storm moved offshore in the area, leading to peak wind gusts of 45-55 mph based on surround observations.
The National Weather Service could not say whether the storms were the direct cause of the wind gusts, said meteorologist Timothy Sedlock.
Showers and storms in the area were associated with the disturbed weather just offshore that the National Hurricane Center was watching. The system continued to move north and was no longer being shown on the agency's tropical outlook map in the afternoon.
Gilbane Building, general contractor for the Cape Canaveral Hospital project, said June 4 work has been suspended.
"We are supporting our trade contractors, and working with them and the authorities on an active investigation to understand the circumstances surrounding the incident,' Gilbane said in a statement.
Lance Skelly, Health First's system director for public and media relations, also released a statement, saying, an investigation is underway.
Construction began in March 2024 on the new $410 million Cape Canaveral Hospital and Medical Office Building on Merritt Island.
It is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, and open to the public in early 2027.
The new hospital will replace the existing Cape Canaveral Hospital in Cocoa Beach and will include: 120 private inpatient hospital beds; 25 emergency department treatment rooms; six operating rooms; and a three-story, 92,000-square-foot Medical Office Building.
The 268,000-square-foot replacement hospital is being built on a 14-acre site, four miles inland from the original Cape Canaveral Hospital located on reclaimed land in the Banana River, according to Trade and Industry Development.
"Constructed in the 1960s, the (Cocoa Beach) six-story, 150-bed hospital was targeted for replacement, in part, due to its vulnerability to hurricanes and risk of flooding.
"To protect the new hospital from flooding during storm surges, Lawrence Group designed its ground floor 13 feet above sea level, and its exterior envelope and structure over and above code requirements to withstand a Category 4 hurricane."
Merritt Island is located about 40 miles west of Orlando on Florida's east coast, or about 60 miles south of Daytona Beach and 115 miles north of West Palm Beach.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Crane collapse Florida: NWS warned of high winds at hospital site