A construction worker fell 40 feet from scaffolding inside an unfinished elevator shaft Monday afternoon at the downtown City Creek project.

The nearest access point to the brick mason was about 20 feet above him, and it took rescue crews 45 minutes to hoist the man through a rope-and-pulley system, said Mark Bednarik, spokesman for the Salt Lake City Fire Department. The man, who is in his mid-50s, was taken to the hospital in critical condition. He suffered massive trauma over his entire body.

He was conscious and alert when he was taken from the site, said Dale Bills, spokesman for the City Creek project.

The accident happened near 40 E. 100 South.

Bednarik did not yet know what caused the man to fall or whether he was using any harnesses or restraints.

A second man was transported to a local hospital during an unrelated accident, Bills said.

A delivery driver fell from a semi-trailer while uncovering his load and suffered minor injuries, Bills said.

"City Creek safety managers are cooperating with investigators, who are reviewing both incidents," he said.

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