HANSON – A fatal construction accident at a Hanson home is under investigation after a portion of a foundation fell on him, according to the office of Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz.
According to family members present on scene, the victim is Gercier Faria, 51, who moved to Massachusetts from Brazil just seven months ago. He has two grown children. The situation remains under active investigation.
Police Chief Michael Miksch reported Wednesday, Feb.7 that the Hanson Police Department had responded to the scene that morning.
DA Cruz reported to media outlets later in the day that a “suspected fatality” had occurred as the homeowner was having their basement waterproofed. The homeowner was at home at the time of the accident.
Kingston fire officials had posted on that department’s Facebook page that one person was believed to be dead. That post was not visible on the site at 5 p.m.
At approximately 11:30 a.m., Hanson Police and Fire responded to 50 Dwight St., for a report of a construction incident involving a partial foundation collapse, Miksch stated. The Plymouth County Technical Rescue Team also responded.
OSHA was also on scene and investigating.
The workers were digging when the foundation broke away from the home, trapping a male worker underneath, WBZ TV reported at 3 p.m.. Crews stabilized the house and are using air bags to lift the foundation so that the man’s body could be recovered.
Part of the trench appeared to be filled with water, and first responders seemed to be focused on a part of it where a large piece of the concrete had fallen in, according to the WBZ report.
Police remained on the scene through the afternoon and people were asked to avoid the area.