This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
An iron worker has died from injuries suffered in a 20-foot fall from a ladder earlier this week at a downtown Salt Lake City construction site.
West Jordan-based SME Steel Contractors confirmed that Richie Pierce, 52, had died Tuesday afternoon, the day after he tumbled at the UPAC Utah Performing Art Center work site between 100 South and 200 South on Main Street.
"It comes with great sadness to inform you that SME Steel Contractors has lost a very valuable and dedicated member of the SME Family ... Richie Pierce. Our thoughts and prayers are with his immediate family at this time," stated SME Steel Contractors CEO Wayne Searle."There is an ongoing investigation at this time and we will comply with all of the proper agencies and authorities."
Alan Rindlisbacher, a spokesman for Layton Construction Co., said on Thursday that the accident reportedly was not witnessed by any of approximately 190 other workers employed on the project.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigators are looking into the incident, but it appeared that Pierce slipped while on the ladder leading to structural steel construction, and fell into a pit about 9 a.m. Monday.
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