Construction worker critically injured after forklift accident at Museum of Science and Industry

CHICAGO (October 1, 2019) – A construction worker was critically injured Monday after being pinned under a forklift at the Museum of Science and Industry in Hyde Park.

The 51-year-old male worker was bumped by the forklift around 10:30 p.m. and fell into a 6-foot hole at the museum, fire officials said. The forklift then fell in on top of him, pinning him in the hole for about 45 minutes as fire crews worked to get him out.

Once he was freed, the man was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition with injuries to his arms and legs. The Chicago Sun Times reports he is expected to survive his injuries.

Museum officials said the man was working on a year-long renovation project to modernize the building when he was injured. The museum released the following statement regarding the incident:

The Museum of Science and Industry has undertaken a yearlong renovation project to modernize our historic building. In the course of that work, a construction worker was injured late last night and transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center.  We take the safety and well-being of everyone onsite at MSI very seriously and are working with the contractor to thoroughly review the situation. Our thoughts are with him and his loved ones.

An investigation into the accident is expected.