NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas – The body of a construction worker was pulled Wednesday from the swollen Arkansas River, hours after he and two colleagues fell 100 feet when the scaffolding they were on along a highway bridge collapsed.
There was no sign of the other two men, who were presumed dead. The river, swollen from recent rains, was moving too swiftly for divers to search the waters.
The three had been installing waterlines under and across the Interstate 430 bridge when their work platform collapsed shortly before 11 a.m., officials said.
The rescue operation turned into a recovery effort when there was no sign of the men for more than an hour after their fall, Little Rock Fire Capt. Jason Weaver said.
The body of one worker was found entangled in rope attached to the platform, said John Rehrauer, a spokesman for the Pulaski County sheriff's office.
Authorities did not identify any of the workers. Rehrauer said the men were believed to be from Texas.
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