A construction worker has died at a work site in East Boston, police said, bringing the project and work to an immediate stop Wednesday.
The incident took place at a building under construction on Sumner Street near Paris Street, according to the Boston Police Department.
Investigators were called to the scene around 11:20 a.m. Initially, police said the man died after a fall, but later said the cause of death has yet to be determined.
"Everything’s under investigation right now,” a police officer said.
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Authorities would not say if the man was part of the construction crews. But those working in the building at the time told NBC10 Boston that he was, describing him as a 30-year-old man from Brazil.
The man's death was a shock to everyone on the job.
"I was working on the fifth floor and suddenly I heard like a noise, a very loud noise,” said construction worker William DeSosa.
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"I can't give you any details because emotionally when you saw something like that you’re not able to figure out, focus on the details," DeSosa added. "But it was very sad.”
"I don't have the words to explain the way I feel right now," said Sandra Nijjar, with the East Boston Community Soup Kitchen. "I'm really shocked and angry,"
The website for the Boston Planning and Development Authority indicates the 7-story building will have 42-units of low-income elderly housing. People in the neighborhood who opposed the project are upset with what happened.
Aerial footage from the scene shows a multi-story building under construction, with a crane on site.
Police have not confirmed the name of the contractor or released the name of the man who died.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration and police are investigating.
