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Reggie McGee Identified as One of the Victims in Fatal Scaffolding Collapse at Port Arthur LNG Site in Sabine Pass
SABINE PASS, Texas — A tragic scaffolding collapse early Tuesday morning at the Port Arthur LNG construction site in Sabine Pass claimed the lives of three construction workers and left two others injured.
The incident occurred around 2:00 a.m. on April 29, prompting a full shutdown of operations at the massive liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility, currently under development by Sempra Infrastructure in partnership with Bechtel Global Corporation.
According to officials, two of the workers were pronounced dead at the scene, while a third succumbed to injuries after suffering cardiac arrest and being transported to Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont.
That victim was identified as a 41-year-old man from Houston.
Officials have identified two of the deceased workers as Reggie McGee and Felipe Mendez.
The identities of the other two victims have not yet been publicly released.
The incident occurred during overnight work involving a “tank jump form system” at elevation, according to a statement issued by Bechtel, the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractor for the site.
It is believed that a catastrophic failure within the scaffolding system led to a section of scaffolding—spanning approximately 8 to 12 feet across three levels—to collapse and detach, causing a trio of workers to fall.
Captain Crystal Holmes of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that only three workers fell completely to the ground.
An eyewitness account from the site described the scaffolding as now hanging at a 45-degree angle, partially disconnected but still loosely attached to the large concrete tank structure.
From a vantage point on Texas Highway 82 across the ship channel, the damaged scaffolding was visible, along with a flapping rigging strap still attached to a crane’s hook block.
This has raised concerns that a suspended load may have fallen or slipped, possibly striking the scaffold and triggering the collapse.
However, investigators have not confirmed whether the strap or any falling material played a role in the incident.
It remains uncertain whether the collapse was caused by rigging failure, structural issues, or a combination of both. It is also unknown whether the workers were wearing safety harnesses or were properly secured at the time of the fall.
Emergency services responded swiftly, including City Ambulance and personnel from Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital.
The two surviving workers who sustained injuries have since been released from medical care, according to Sempra Infrastructure.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has launched a formal investigation into the incident.
The U.S. Department of Labor confirmed that findings will be released upon the investigation’s conclusion. Meanwhile, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office remains the lead local agency overseeing the investigation and is working closely with Bechtel and other stakeholders.
In a joint response, both Bechtel and Sempra Infrastructure extended their condolences to the families affected by the tragedy.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of life resulting from this incident,” Bechtel said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with the families and colleagues of those impacted.”
Sempra Infrastructure echoed those sentiments: “Our condolences go out to the families of those who lost their lives, as well as to the injured workers. We are prioritizing support for all impacted and continuing to work with local authorities.”
Bechtel immediately halted all work at the site and sent workers home following the accident. Company officials stated that operations will remain suspended while a full investigation is conducted.
Port Arthur LNG is a multibillion-dollar energy project designed to expand the United States’ capacity for liquefied natural gas exports.
Construction at the site has been ongoing for several years and involves a significant workforce and complex industrial infrastructure.
Authorities emphasized that the investigation will be deliberate and thorough.
“This will be a slow and methodical process,” said Captain Holmes. “Bechtel, the sheriff’s office, and other agencies are working together closely to determine exactly what happened.”
Additional updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
SABINE PASS, Texas — Three construction workers lost their lives and two others sustained injuries following a scaffolding collapse early Tuesday morning at the Port Arthur LNG construction site in Sabine Pass.
Officials have identified two of the deceased workers as Reggie McGee and Felipe Mendez.
The incident occurred at approximately 2:00 a.m. on April 29 at the large-scale industrial site operated by Bechtel, the engineering, procurement, and construction contractor for the project.
Sempra Infrastructure, one of the developers behind the LNG facility, confirmed the incident in a statement and noted that an immediate work stoppage was implemented across the site.
According to Bechtel, the collapse involved a “tank jump form system” at elevation.
The failure led to multiple workers falling, with two pronounced dead at the scene.
A third worker, a 41-year-old man from Houston, suffered cardiac arrest and later died at Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont, according to Jefferson County Precinct One Justice of the Peace Ben Collins Sr.
Two additional workers were injured in the collapse but have since been treated and released from the hospital, Sempra Infrastructure confirmed.
Captain Crystal Holmes of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office stated that a failure within the scaffolding system caused the workers to fall.
She confirmed that only three individuals fell to the ground. It remains unclear whether the workers were wearing fall protection gear at the time of the incident.
A visual assessment of the site from Texas Highway 82 revealed a concrete tank surrounded by three levels of scaffolding.
A section estimated to be between 8 to 12 feet in length from each level appeared to have detached and now hangs at a 45-degree angle.
Nearby, a rigging strap remains loosely affixed to the hook block of a tower crane, swaying in the wind—a detail investigators are examining for its possible role in the collapse.
Authorities are exploring whether a falling load may have struck the scaffolding or if the incident stemmed from a rigging or structural failure.
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has launched a formal investigation, which will include a comprehensive review of the equipment, site procedures, and any potential violations. The results will be released upon completion of the investigation.
Bechtel and Sempra Infrastructure have both issued statements expressing condolences to the families of the victims and affirming their commitment to the safety and wellbeing of all personnel. “We are deeply saddened by this tragic incident,” said a Bechtel spokesperson. “Our thoughts are with the families and our colleagues who have been affected.”
“All work at the site was immediately halted, and craft professionals were sent home to be with their families during this difficult time,” Bechtel added. Sempra echoed that work will remain suspended while the incident is under investigation.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation in coordination with Bechtel and relevant regulatory agencies. Captain Holmes noted that the investigative process would be “slow and methodical” to ensure all factors contributing to the collapse are fully understood.
Port Arthur LNG is a joint venture between Sempra Infrastructure and ConocoPhillips.
Construction at the site has been ongoing for several years as part of a broader effort to expand U.S. liquefied natural gas export capacity.
Bechtel emphasized that their top priority remains supporting the impacted families and ensuring that all necessary steps are taken to understand the cause of the incident and prevent future tragedies.