One construction worker died in a downtown Boston parking garage collapse on the evening of Saturday, March 26. 51-year-old Peter Monsini’s death was recognized by the labor union and family on Sunday. He was a father to a son and was a “member of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 4” for around 20 years, reported The Boston Globe.
“He was just very selfless and caring and loved his son more than anything,” Monsini’s sister Gina Ferrini said to the Globe.
“He was a great friend to many of us and he will be sadly missed. Information on arrangements will be forthcoming at the direction of the family. Meanwhile, please keep Peter and his family in your thoughts and prayers. May he rest in peace,” Bill McLaughlin, who is the union’s business manager, said to The Globe.
According to NBC10 Boston, the concrete slab on the ninth floor collapsed, which led to the incident. Boston Fire Commissioner Jack Dempsey said to the NBC10 Boston reporters that Monsini was finishing the work in a “construction vehicle that fell over the side of the garage when the structure collapsed.”
“Our investigation will be careful and thorough, and it will take some time. This is a complex project, and this will be an intensive investigation,” Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden said to The Boston Globe. A highly experienced prosecutor has been assigned by the District Attorney to the case. Alongside the district attorney’s office, the Boston Police and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration are investigating the incident too.
The demolition of the Government Center Garage is a part of the Bulfinch Crossing development project, which is in progress constructing One Congress, a 43-story, 528 feet tower. One Congress will be the tallest building in Boston and is expected to open by 2023.
In response to the ongoing construction, T service has been suspended on the Green Line and Orange Line between Government Center and North Station. Shuttle buses replaced the MBTA service between these stations.
“Service will not resume until a team of structural engineers, examining and assessing infrastructure above and below the surface, confirms that service can safely resume,” the MBTA posted on its website on Monday, March 28. “We will provide updates as inspections continue.”
This incident turned out to be one of the “first fatal construction” mishaps of 2022, according to NBC10 Boston, and the investigation is still underway.
Details about the accident were reported by The Boston Globe. According to The Globe, the garage collapsed at about 5:39 p.m., Saturday, and Officer Craig Jones was present on site when the collapse occurred.
Governor Charlie Baker said on Monday, March 28, that the incident was “a horrible tragedy for the gentleman who died, as well as his family, and, obviously, for all the co-workers that are involved.” Governor Baker also said several days of disruptions to people’s commutes were likely because it was important to “tread” lightly on the site “as people do the work of investigating.”
With MBTA services suspended, commuters expressed the inconvenience.
“I’m lost, a lot of people like me are lost right now, we don’t know what we’re supposed to do,” said Jose Belis, who was trying to return home to Chelsea that Monday after work, Boston25 News reported.
Recent updates posted on the MBTA website read, “Haymarket Update: Orange Line service has resumed between North Station and Back Bay, Haymarket station remains closed. Green Line service remains suspended between North Station and Government Center. Use the Orange Line for alternate service.”