Merritt Island, Fla. – A tragic accident occurred Wednesday at the construction site of the new Cape Canaveral Hospital, resulting in the deaths of two individuals.The incident involved the collapse of a giant crane, prompting an immediate inquiry into the cause.

The Incident

The collapse took place at the site of the future Cape Canaveral Hospital, located in Merritt Island, approximately 60 miles east of Orlando on Florida’s Atlantic coast. Emergency responders were dispatched to the scene, adn two individuals were transported to a nearby hospital.

Unfortunately,two people were transported to a nearby hospital,where they later died, according to Brevard County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Tod Goodyear. Authorities have not yet released the names of the victims.

Investigation Underway

While the exact cause of the crane collapse remains under investigation, preliminary reports indicate that weather conditions may have played a role.The area had been hit by rain and strong winds Wednesday afternoon, Goodyear stated. Though, investigators are exploring all potential factors to determine the precise sequence of events that led to the accident.

Project Background

Construction of the new Cape Canaveral Hospital began last year, with an anticipated opening date in 2027. The new facility is intended to replace the existing Cape Canaveral Hospital in Cocoa Beach, providing updated and expanded healthcare services to the community.

The hospital is operated by Health First, a not-for-profit community health system serving Brevard County. Following the incident, Health First spokesperson Lance Skelly issued a statement, assuring the public that the site is secure and is currently under an active investigation.

Contractor Response

gilbane Building Co. is the contractor for the Cape Canaveral Hospital project. As of the time of this report, the company had not yet issued a public statement regarding the crane collapse. Attempts to reach Gilbane Building Co. for comment were unsuccessful.