Coroner: 19-year-old killed after construction crane collapses

LITTLE RIVER, S.C. (WMBF/Gray News) - A 19-year-old was killed after officials said a construction crane collapsed Tuesday in South Carolina.

Horry County Chief Deputy Coroner Tamara Willard said Anibal Sanchez Pelayo died after being struck by the crane on a construction site on Cambria Court. Willard added that Pelayo was living in Galivants Ferry and died of “multiple traumatic injuries.”

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the worker involved in the tragic incident at Bridgewater yesterday,” said Pam Catindig, a spokesperson for Chesapeake Homes, which is the neighborhood’s builder.

Horry County Fire Rescue said crews and police were called to the scene just before 2 p.m. on Tuesday.

A witness in the area captured images of the scene using a drone.

One neighbor said they only learned about the collapse after another resident drove by.

“I was standing out in front of the house and a car pulled up and said, ‘Oh, have you heard what’s going on?’” said Greg Shores, who lives near the scene. “It was shocking that someone was injured seriously and that somebody had gone to work that morning figuring, ‘Well, just another day at work’, and next thing you know, they’re being medevacked out of here or whatever. So, it’s kind of hard.”

The Horry County Police Department and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are investigating the deadly crane collapse.

Catindig said that her company is cooperating during the investigation.

“All the facts and details have not all come together yet, however, providing a safe workplace has always been Chesapeake Home’s priority and we are cooperating with local authorities and relevant agencies to determine what led to this heartbreaking event,” Catindig said.

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