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He died when a gasoline-powered saw kicked back and caused a fatal cut to his neck. Simoes, who worked for Manafort Construction, was in a trench using the saw to cut a water main pipe when the accident happened, Bridgeport officials said.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victim’s family and to his co-workers at Manafort,” said Andrew Nunn, the city’s chief administrative officer. “That is our primary concern.”
Police and federal workplace safety officials are investigating.
The accident forced the airport to close from about 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday because the water supply to a portion of the airport was cut. With no water for fire suppression, officials at Sikorsky alerted the FAA, which issued a “Notice to Airmen” that there were no departures or arrivals during that time.
The airport resumed normal operations on Friday.
The construction company resumed work on the water main at 2:30 p.m. Thursday and completed the job in about five hours.
The work is part of ongoing airport safety upgrades, which is expected to be completed this fall.
The worker was pronounced dead at the scene after the 8 a.m. accident.
Bridgeport and Stratford police are investigating, and firefighters from Bridgeport and Stratford responded. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration is conducting an investigation as well.
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