One dead, one in critical condition in SE Richland County construction accident

One person was killed and another taken to the hospital in critical condition Tuesday afternoon after a work accident on the 700 block of Greenlawn Drive in southeast Richland County.

The two construction workers apparently were carrying scaffolding when it came into contact with an overhead power line, Richland County coroner Gary Watts said.

The identity of the worker who died will not be released until the next of kin has been notified, Watts said.

The Columbia Fire Department was called to the scene of an electrocution accident at an apartment complex construction site off Garners Ferry Road, around 2 p.m., fire department spokesman Brick Lewis said.

An investigation involving the Richland County coroner’s office continues. Federal authorities from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are likely to be involved as well, Lewis said.

This story was originally published March 8, 2016 at 8:28 PM.