Worker Dies at Construction Site in Toccoa

By Charlie Bauder, WNEG Radio, Toccoa

In Stephens County, a man is dead after an accident at the construction site in downtown Toccoa.

According to Toccoa Police Chief Tim Jarrell, it happened about 9a Tuesday at First Baptist Church on Tugalo St.

“There was a worker on a steel beam and he fell,” said Police Chief Tim Jarrell. “He has appeared to have suffered a head injury. He was pronounced dead at the scene by the (Stephens County) Coroner’s Office. The victim is a 35-year-old possible Hispanic male from Gainesville, Georgia.”

Jarrell says the victim fell between 13 and 14 feet.

Officials with The Occupational Safety And Health Administration, or OSHA, and the Stephens County Coroner’s office are investigating with the assistance of the Toccoa Police Department.

“We do not believe foul play is involved at this time,” said Jarrell. “However, we still investigate all deaths as if they are a criminal matter until proven otherwise.”

Jarrell says the body will be sent to the Georgia Bureau Of Investigation crime lab in metro Atlanta for autopsy.