Three contractors are dead, and two are injured, following a fatal scaffolding collapse at a Port Arthur construction site.
Prompting an immediate emergency response and a temporary shutdown of the site, the accident is now the subject of several investigations, with authorities focused on determining what went wrong and who may be to blame.
Deadly Port Arthur Scaffolding Accident: What We Know So Far
Just before 2 a.m. on Tues. April 29, 2025, scaffolding at the Port Arthur LNG construction site on South Gulfway Dr., near the Intracoastal Canal Bridge, gave way. With construction occurring at the site 24 hours a day, the scaffolding collapsed with several contractors on it.
As soon as the “tank jump form system” failed, three contractors fell from the scaffolding.
Emergency responders arrived shortly after, and all construction activities at the site were immediately suspended. Upon arriving at the scene, emergency responders pronounced two workers dead, according to local reporters.
A third worker, a 41-year-old man from Houston, was transported by City Ambulance to CHRISTUS St. Elizabeth Hospital. He passed away shortly after, succumbing to fatal injuries at around 3:30 a.m.
Two other workers injured in the scaffolding collapse were taken to nearby hospitals for emergency medical treatment. They reportedly suffered non-life-threatening injuries and have since been released.
The victims were working for Bechtel, the lead contractor on the Port Arthur Phase 1 export project, a 13-million-tonne-per-annum liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility that Sempra Infrastructure and ConocoPhillips are building.
Bechtel is reportedly cooperating with local authorities and has initiated its own internal investigation into this scaffolding collapse.
What Caused the Deadly Port Arthur Scaffolding Collapse?
The left side of the scaffolding reportedly fell, according to Jefferson County Sheriff’s Captain Crystal Holmes. That made the scaffolding unstable, with “uneven footing” that caused workers to fall off the structure.
Why did the left side of the scaffolding collapse?
That’s the question investigators are now focused on answering, with authorities at state and local levels intent on identifying the causes and who may be responsible for the resulting deaths, injuries, and losses.
Officials Weigh In
Several parties have issued official statements on this horrific accident.
Bechtel’s Manager of Media Relations, Luke Miller, has stated:
We are deeply saddened to confirm a tank jump form system incident occurred at elevation on April 29 at the Port Arthur LNG construction site, resulting in three fatalities and two injuries. Our thoughts are with the families and our colleagues affected by this tragic incident… Supporting those impacted and ensuring site safety remain our top priorities.
Similar, Sempra Infrastructure has commented:
At approximately 2 a.m. on Tuesday, April 29, an incident occurred at the Port Arthur LNG construction site involving employees of engineering, procurement and construction contractor, Bechtel. Three fatalities have been reported and two others who were injured have been released from the hospital. Our condolences go out to the families of those who lost their lives as well as those who are injured.
What’s Next?
Multiple investigations are now underway to try to shed more light on what happened, what “justice” may look like, and how to prevent this from occurring again.
While it may take time for more details to come to light, you may be able to take action now to:
- Protect your or a loved one’s rights if this deadly scaffolding accident harmed you (or them)
- Help the victims
If you or a loved one was hurt in this accident—or if you have any information, photos, and/or videos related to it—contact the Amaro Law Firm.