SYRACUSE -- A bulldozer went into Onondaga Lake Tuesday morning.
The bulldozer was about 20 feet from shore in about 2 feet of water at the Onondaga Lake Restoration Project site, part of the Honeywell cleanup.
The operator of the bulldozer suffered from a medical emergency and was taken to Upstate Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.
The worker is employed by the Parsons Corporation, a subcontractor on the lake restoration project.
Tim Johnson, a spokesman for Parsons Corp., tells CNYCentral the bulldozer has been removed from the lake. He says there is no evidence of an environmental impact from the accident. Johnson says they have emergency response plans in place that went into effect at the time of the incident. He says those response plans "worked very well for this unfortunate incident."
Johnson also issued this statement:
“We are deeply saddened to announce that a Parsons employee passed away today after suffering a medical emergency while performing construction activities along Onondaga Lake. The employee’s name is not being released at this time. He worked as a Parsons operator for 2 years, and he will be missed not only professionally but personally.
On behalf of everyone at Parsons, including those who had the privilege to know and work with him, we extend our heartfelt sympathy to his family and friends during this difficult time. Memorial information will be shared as it becomes available.”
Geddes Police and Onondaga County Sheriff’s deputies are on the scene off of Interstate 690 West near the State Fair Boulevard exit and the State Fairgrounds.
The investigation is still underway.
