Former Marine, Derry High School Grad, Killed In Construction Site Accident

After hours on the scene of a tragic accident at an industrial park in Monroeville Tuesday, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reported that gusting winds caused a scaffold to collapse, sending one worker 20 feet to his death.

Monroeville police said several contractors were working on the exterior of a building on Jamison Lane when the collapse occured. William Bracken, 42, of Derry suffered serious injuries in the fall and was in cardiac arrest when police arrived. He was taken to Forbes Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

General contractor for the site is Burchick Construction Company of Pittsburgh. Bracken was a memeber of Local Union 1451, and was employed by Kusler Masonry of Carnegie for six years.

Burchick company spokesperson Michelle Merlo called the tragedy, "An act of God."

Bracken was an ex-Marine who served in Desert Storm. He was a star kicker and defensive end for Derry High School in the 80s. He leaves behind a wife and three children.