New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
It was a scary scene on the New Bedford waterfront Wednesday afternoon when a pier collapsed causing workers to fall into the harbor. The New Bedford Fire Department has now provided an update on details of the situation.
“Shortly after 2:00pm this afternoon, Communications received 911 calls reporting a pier collapse at the end of Hervey Tichon Avenue. Command Unit 2 reported a large section of bulkhead under construction had collapsed into the water and four construction workers were injured.
One worker was pulled from the water and placed on an adjacent barge. Marine 38 responded to the barge, provided emergency medical care, and moved him to Marine 38 via Stokes Basket. He was taken to Pier 3 and transported to St. Luke’s Emergency Department by NBEMS.
One other worker was also transported from the scene by NBEMS. Two other workers were evaluated and did not require transport. All other personnel were accounted for.
A 225’ by 36’ of bulkhead/pier collapsed. A construction lift and Bobcat loader were also involved in the collapse. The Fairhaven Fire Department Marine Unit, NBPD Marine Unit, MA Environmental Police, and Fairhaven Harbormaster assisted Marine 38 in deploying containment boom to control any leaking fuel and hydraulic fluid along with floating debris.
The US Coast Guard and MA Department of Environmental Protection also responded. NBEMA, NB Port Authority, and the Providence Canteen provided assistance on scene.
Several nearby fishing vessels were relocated to allow construction personnel and equipment to begin removing the collapse debris and shore up the remaining bulkhead. An NBFD drone was deployed for damage and fuel spill assessment.”
Carlos Pimental Felix was live at the scene after the collapse.
